NCJ Number
136151
Date Published
1992
Length
112 pages
Annotation
This correspondence course is designed to provide the basic knowledge needed by correctional officers to deal effectively with special needs inmates who have a variety of medical, physical, mental, and psychological disabilities.
Abstract
The self-instructional format of the course allows correctional officers to study during their free time and work at their own pace. The course recognizes that the effective management of special needs offenders requires correctional officers to be aware of the most common types of inmate disabilities. Topics covered in the course include what to expect, how to monitor special needs offenders, when to call for help, and why special requirements may be imposed on correctional officers in managing such inmates. This third book of the course covers mental disorders. The specific focus is on inmates with mental handicaps or mental illnesses. Consideration is given to mental retardation, learning disabilities, inmate behavior, depression and suicide. Implications of the growing special needs population in corrections are discussed, and principles applied throughout the course are reviewed.