NCJ Number
80479
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1981) Pages: 38-44
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The historic development of Cook County's (Illinois) comprehensive psychiatric program for mentally ill offenders is traced, and components of the current program are described, followed by a consideration of future developments.
Abstract
Limited services for mentally ill detainees existed in Cook County prior to 1974, when a class action suit was filed to establish a mental health program within the correctional setting. The current treatment approach is multidisciplinary. A general milieu model is used, including individual and group therapy, activity therapy, art therapy, and pharmacotherapy. Initial and secondary diagnostic interviews are provided for all patients. Followup sustaining care is provided for those inmates discharged to the general population. Community linkage with appropriate mental health agencies is also implemented when feasible. Due to the large number of detainees (4,500) and the transiency of the population, the program has adopted a crisis intervention modality involving short-term treatment. The major goals of the system are remission and the return of the client to the correctional general population, with the provision of followup supportive care to maintain adjustment. A more limited facet of the program provides psychiatric services for female inmates. Present and incoming correctional officers receive 20 hours of training by members of the mental health staff in the basic facets of the psychiatric program, as well as rudimentary courses in psychopathology, chemotherapy, and interviewing. Future plans call for improved diagnostic assessment, expanded psychiatric staff, community linkage for clients, and improved training and research. Five references are listed.