Treatment of Mental Illness in Correctional Settings

Treatment for mental illness and other conditions related to mental functioning presents significant challenges to clinicians, administrators, and custody staff within correctional facilities. In this chapter, the term correctional facility refers to police lockups, jails, and prisons. The distinctions are important considerations in the provision of mental health care because of the varying lengths of stay. In one way or another, the mission of all correctional facilities usually includes: 1. Custody 2. Maintenance of order, safety, and control 3. Punishment “Rehabilitation” is found in some correctional mission statements, along with references to restoring an individual to function in the community. In even fewer mission statements is there a reference to medical care or “treatment.” These functions are rarely considered part of the intent of confinement in a correctional setting. The mission statements of health care providers and health care organizations are different. They usually include: 1. Focus on individuals and their health needs 2. Humane and responsive care and treatment 3. Confidentiality 4. Consent 5. Provision of treatment in the least restrictive environment