Special Problem Patients - Psychotic, Geriatric, Retarded, Sex Offender (From Mental Health for the Convicted Offender Patient and Prisoner, P 173-194, 1977 - See NCJ-72844)

• NCJ Number: 72853
• Author(s): J McCall; W Christopher; D Jurczak
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 22 pages
• Sale Source: North Carolina Dept of Correction
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Issues associated with the handling of psychotic, geriatric, and retarded inmates, as well as sex offenders, are discussed in three workshop addresses.

Abstract

Psychotics can be treated as patients under a medical model to the extent that medicine can help control their symptoms. Further, group therapy can often help psychotic inmates deal with their limitations. In most cases, housing psychotic inmates in special facilities with controls and programs adapted to their needs is the preferred approach. Geriatric patients need not be treated according to a medical model unless they have mental or physical health problems. However, because their weakness and vulnerability may make them prey for other inmates, attention should be given to their protection under such circumstances. Retarded inmates cannot strictly be placed under a medical model of treatment since no cure exists for their condition. Prison programs should be developed which enhance their social and vocational adaptation and which protect them from abusive inmates. Sex offenders are difficult to treat because of the divergent patterns of sexual deviancy and the general lack of knowledge about the causes of deviance. Certain behavioral modification approaches have had limited success in changing the behavior of some sex offenders. Excerpts from the workshop discussion are provided.