NCJ Number
62555
Journal
Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (1978) Pages: 93-104
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC UNITS IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO MENTALLY DISTURBED OFFENDERS, ARE PRESENTED IN TABULAR FORM; STAFFING AND BED CAPACITY ARE INDICATED.
Abstract
MOST STATES NOW PROVIDE HOSPITAL FACILITIES FOR PRETRIAL PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS, AS WELL AS FOR THE EXTENDED TREATMENT OF MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDERS. THESE FACILITIES, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS MAXIMUM SECURITY UNITS OR FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC UNITS, ARE USUALLY ATTACHED TO A STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL. THROUGH THIS SURVEY, AN ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE SPECIALIZED FORENSIC FACILITIES. A LIST OF INSTITUTIONS THAT SERVE THE MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDER WAS OBTAINED AND USED AS A GUIDE FOR GATHERING INFORMATION. A TELEPHONE SURVEY WAS THEN CONDUCTED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CURRENT INFORMATION. A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS UTILIZED BY INTERVIEWERS TO ENSURE UNIFORMITY. A RANDOM FOLLOWUP CHECK OF SURVEYED INSTITUTIONS WAS ALSO CONDUCTED. THE RESULTS OBTAINED ARE PRESENTED IN TABULAR FORM. COLUMN HEADINGS INCLUDE THE STATE AND CITY, THE FACILITY NAME, BED CAPACITY, PRIMARY THERAPY METHOD, PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS, SECURITY INFORMATION, AND VISITATION POLICY. ALMOST 50 ENTRIES ARE PROVIDED INCLUDING THE DELAWARE STATE HOSPITAL MAXIMUM SECURITY UNIT, THE MASSACHUSETTS CORRECTIONAL UNIT, AND THE ARIZONA STATE HOSPITAL. IN COMPILING AND ANALYZING THE DATA FOR THE VARIOUS STATE PROGRAMS, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT NOT MUCH THERAPY, EITHER GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL, IS AVAILABLE FOR THE MENTALLY DISORDERED POPULATION. EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF THIS UNIQUE POPULATION REQUIRES SOME KNOWLEDGE OF BOTH THE LEGAL AND THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS. ADDITIONALLY, THE STAFF MEMBERS NEED TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE 'CON' CULTURE WHICH SUPPORTS MALADAPTIVE VALUES AND BEHAVIOR, AS WELL AS WITH THE SYMPTOMATOLOGY FOSTERED BY LONG PERIODS OF SEMI-ISOLATION ON LOCKED WARDS. THE PROGRAMS NOTED HERE REPRESENT A SERIOUS EFFORT TO MOVE TOWARD MORE EFFECTIVE SERVICE FOR THESE PATIENTS. TABULAR INFORMATION AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLE. (LWM)