NCJ Number
198060
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 54 Issue: 6 Dated: November-December 2002 Pages: 18-20
Date Published
November 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article outlines the cooperative program of mental health care instituted for inmates at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center in Georgia.
Abstract
The authors explain that an estimated 16 percent of inmates housed in State jails and prisons suffer from mental illness. Meeting the psychiatric needs of these inmates is emerging as a public health issue in more and more jurisdictions. The author explains how Macon County Sheriff Jerry Modena worked with the River Edge Behavioral Health Center to provide mental health care and drug addiction treatment to county inmates. In order to overcome budgetary constraints and eliminate inefficiencies, Modena contracted with River Edge to provide services at the jail rather than transport inmates to their health care facility. An evaluation of this program revealed that the ratio of inmates to health care service providers was too large and the jail facilities presented physical limitations. In response, the jail, county government, and the health care provider developed a treatment program as an alternative to incarceration for certain inmates. The result of this collaboration is a program of six weekly group-therapy sessions that are provided at the law enforcement center. Results of the program reveal a significant decrease in involuntary commitments to the regional State hospital.