NCJ Number
127328
Journal
American Jails Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (July/August 1990) Pages: 22-25
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article identifies the changing complexity and the growth of the mentally ill inmate population at the new direct-supervision Santa Clara County Main Jail; describes the psychiatric training of specially chosen officers; and discusses the impact of this training on the officers, inmates, and jail.
Abstract
The mentally ill inmate population in the Santa Clara County Main Jail is growing due to the increased number of homeless mentally ill in the community, a pervasive use of alcohol and drugs, and an increase in the economically disenfranchised young adults in wealthy Silicon Valley. The complexity of and growth in this inmate population have led to the psychiatric training of a select group of jail officers to work with this population. The initial training was presented to 20 volunteer officers screened for their attitudes toward people in general and the mentally ill in particular. Forty hours of classroom instruction covered suicide identification and intervention, psychiatric illnesses, the management of assaultive behavior, and communication skills. On-the-job training continues after the basic course. Such training has resulted in speedy intervention, a less chaotic and noisy milieu, and less stress on staff. The development of officer communication and behavioral management skills has also helped reduce disruptive and assaultive inmate behavior. 6 footnotes