Mental Illness In Prisons

The United States prisons, jails, and correctional agencies have been confronted with the number of mentally ill persons in custody or under supervision. Although designed and operated as a place of punishment, prisons have nonetheless become de facto psychiatric facilities despite often lacking the needed mental health services. (Metzner & Feller, 2010) Therefore, prisoners with mental illness are in demand of urgency and require a response, services, and adequate care. Administrators in corrections must attempt to manage prisoners who have mental illness and search for ways to combat concerns. Nevertheless, to address the problems with mental illness among prisoners requires partnerships among stakeholders, correctional officers, agencies,

Nevertheless, solitary confinement has the most adverse effects on prisoners with severe mental illness causing depression, anger, cognitive disturbances, perceptual distortions, obsessive thoughts, paranoia, and psychosis. (Metzner & Feller, 2010) According to research, mentally ill prisoners are often disruptive and confrontational when compared to other inmates. (Haney, 2003) Therefore, researchers have suggested to reduce the number of mentally ill inmates and to provide proper care revolve around laws and practices as well as reform movements. (Haney, 2003) Prisons should focus more on diversion programs, mental health courts, less outpatient treatments, and more intake screenings. More so, if there are prisoners who can meet the standards and criteria, they should be able to receive institutional releases, and receive available services in the community. Placing inmates into mental health facilities reduces the number of inmates receiving continuous care in prison and changes their settings. Mentally ill persons should be offered the same opportunities as other inmates, thus moving from supervised settings to more independent ones should be the goal. There can be housing provided to support those with mental illness, access to programs and diversions in society, and monitoring of medications. The most important aspect is to

(2003). Mental Health Issues in Long-term Solitary and “Supermax” Confinement. Crime Delinquency 49: 124-156. Retrieved March 2, 2018, from http://doc.delaware.gov/downloads/ACARestrictiveHousingAttachment2_Correctional%20Articles_2.pdf

Latessa, E.J., & Smith, P. (2011). Corrections in the community (5th Ed.). Retrieved March 2, 2018, from https://www.betheluniversityonline.net/cps/default.aspx?SectionID=6728&tabid=154#1

Metzner, J. L. & Feller, J. (2010). Solitary Confinement and Mental Illness in U.S. Prison: A Challenge for Medical Ethics. The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. P. 104-108. Retrieved March 2, 2018, from http://doc.delaware.gov/downloads/ACARestrictiveHousingAttachment2_Correctional%20Articles_2.pdf

National Institute of Corrections (n. d.). Crisis Intervention Teams: A Frontline Response to Mental Illness in Corrections (Lesson Plans and Participant's Manual) Retrieved March 2, 2018, from https://nicic.gov/crisis-intervention-teams-frontline-response-mental-illness-corrections-lesson-plans-and

Schmallenger, F. & Smykla, J.O. (2015). Corrections in the 21st Century (7th Edition). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. Retrieved March 2, 2018, from