NCJ Number
136470
Date Published
1990
Length
36 pages
Annotation
As part of a long-range planning effort, the Illinois Department of Corrections conducted a survey of its adult facilities to determine the prevalence of inmates with special medical or mental health needs. The Department received a technical assistance grant to conduct a similar survey in all 50 States.
Abstract
Between 0.8 percent and 8.2 percent of prison inmates incarcerated within the 31 States which responded to the survey are in special housing or infirmary status. This report discusses the inmate population with chronic illness, the population over age 50, terminally-ill inmates, mentally-ill inmates, and inmates with ambulation problems. The author also lists the States that offer a compassionate release program. In order to monitor current operations, prepare annual reports and budgets, and make long-range projections in terms of health care issues, the author recommends that corrections officials collect significant data on a monthly basis, monitor the trends displayed by the collected data, monitor the performance of each facility in the face of changing trends, and use the collected data to plan for the future. 7 figures, 4 notes, and 2 appendixes