NCJ Number
61479
Date Published
1979
Length
90 pages
Annotation
THE 1978 GOALS, ACTIVITIES, AND EXPENDITURES OF THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO, ONTARIO FORENSIC SERVICE (METFORS), PROVIDING PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT OF DEFENDANTS, ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
METFORS'S GOALS ARE TO PROVIDE PSYCHIATRIC OBSERVATION, EXAMINATION, ASSESSMENT, AND TREATMENT OF PRISONERS SOON AFTER THEIR ARREST AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATION AND EDUCATION FOR OTHER AGENCIES. FROM APRIL 1, 1978, TO MARCH 1, 1979, METFORS'S BRIEF ASSESSMENT UNIT (BAU) EXAMINED SOME 60 PERSONS PER MONTH, 86 PERCENT OF WHOM WERE MALE. IN 63 PERCENT OF THE CASES, NO FURTHER PSYCHIATRIC INVOLVEMENT WAS INDICATED; IN 15 PERCENT, TREATMENT WAS INDICATED; IN 16 PERCENT, REMAND TO METFORS'S INPATIENT UNIT FOR 30 DAYS OF FURTHER ASSESSMENT WAS INDICATED. THE INPATIENT UNIT ADMITTED 226 PEOPLE, MOSTLY MALES FROM 20 TO 44 YEARS OF AGE. CLINICAL FUNCTIONS USED MOST OF THE STAFF'S TIME AND EFFORT. PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENTS IN THE INPATIENT UNIT USUALLY TOOK PLACE OVER A 3-WEEK PERIOD. SOCIAL WORK STAFF CONDUCTED 444 INTERVIEWS WITH OR ON BEHALF OF PATIENTS. NURSING AND RECREATIONAL THERAPY STAFF PROVIDED THE FOUNDATION FOR CARE AND ASSESSMENT. METFORS PROVIDED EDUCATION AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TO PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS, NURSES, DOCTORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS, AND RECREATIONAL THERAPY STUDENTS, AND PROVIDED CONSULTATIONS WITH THREE TORONTO JAILS AND DETENTION CENTERS, THE PAROLE BOARDS, AND OTHER AGENCIES. TWO MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS WERE INITIATED DURING THE YEAR. DESPITE STAFF REDUCTION DUE TO BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, METFORS CONTINUED TO MEET ITS CLINICAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES. TABLES, A FINANCIAL REPORT, APPENDIXES PRESENTING DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE YEAR'S ACTIVITIES, AND A STATISTICAL SUPPLEMENT PRESENTING PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS FOR EACH METFORS SUBPROGRAM ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)