Handbook of Correctional Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians

Clinicians working on the frontlines of correctional mental health face increasing challenges. The proportion of inmates with mental disorders is growing at a rate that exceeds that of the correctional population as a whole, with both geriatric and juvenile offenders requiring assessment and treatment. To provide the highest standard of care, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and other professionals need access to practical, up-to-date, and comprehensive resources.

The Handbook of Correctional Mental Health, now in its expanded second edition, is the go-to resource for clinicians. This book addresses key concepts to ensure readers meet the current standard of care for inmates throughout the criminal justice system. In 20 state-of-the-art chapters, nationally recognized providers and correctional mental health experts tackle the most pressing issues facing clinicians.

Unique Features of the Handbook

• Summarizes the literature on unique populations observed in correctional environments, assisting providers in tailoring treatment to various target populations.
• Provides a clear overview of malpractice law and the concept of “deliberate indifference,” helping readers understand legal requirements for providing care and minimizing lawsuit risks.
• Educates clinicians on differentiating feigned versus legitimate mental health symptoms and understanding inmate motivations for psychiatric malingering.
• Discusses important administrative aspects, including documentation issues, quality assurance, and practicing under a consent decree.
• Features useful tables throughout the text with key summary points emphasized.
• Includes five new, clinically focused chapters on:
• Assessment and treatment of inmates with substance use disorders
• Geriatric offenders
• Juvenile offenders
• Inmates with self-injurious behaviors
• Offenders who have experienced trauma and inmates housed on maximum security units and death row

Unlike other titles in the field, which are either out-of-date or limited in scope, this new edition of the Handbook of Correctional Mental Health provides everything mental health professionals need to deliver the highest standard of care to this growing and complex patient population.

Publication Details

Published by American Psychiatric Publishing on October 6, 2009

Language: English

ISBN: 9781585623891, 9781585629244