NCJ Number
84822
Date Published
1981
Length
90 pages
Annotation
Findings and recommendations are presented from a Pennsylvania task force established to develop an action plan and implementation strategy to improve the delivery of mental health treatment services to inmates in State and county correctional institutions.
Abstract
The task force found (1) a shortage of mental health facilities to meet the treatment and security needs of inmates, (2) problems in court processing and delays in transfer of inmates in need of mental health services from the Bureau of Correction to forensic mental health programs, (3) problems facing county correctional administrators in handling inmates in need of mental health service, (4) inadequacy of Bureau of Correction programs that provide inmate mental health services, and (5) dangerous conditions in prisons resulting from overcrowding and inadequate mental health treatment programming. Overall, the task force recommends the expansion of mental health treatment services in correctional institutions and in forensic mental health facilities. Further, the task force concluded that emergency mental health treatment should be administered in prison while long-term treatment should be administered in a hospital. Recommendations are offered in the general areas of (1) improving mental health services to inmates, (2) developing emergency mental health treatment programs in correctional institutions, and (3) enhancing interagency coordination and monitoring of the forensic mental health service system. The reports of the task force subcommittees are appended, along with resource material, descriptions of county forensic mental health programs, and a task force membership list.