NCJ Number
107510
Date Published
1987
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This chapter describes the delivery of psychological services in closed institutions for convicted adult felons.
Abstract
Following a discussion of clinical impressions of the harmful effects of imprisonment on imates and a review of the literature documenting the high incidence of mental disorders in prison populations, guidelines for the operation of mental health programs in correctional settings are outlined within a community psychology model of practice. The model prescribes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies that may be deployed to prevent, reduce the severity of, and treat mental health problems among inmates. Role conflicts facing correctional psychologists also are discussed. Finally, the role of the correctional psychologist in crisis intervention, inmate classification, prediction of dangerousness, therapy, training, consultation, and program design and evaluation is described. 52 references.