Mental Health Care in Correctional Facilities: A Guide for Clinicians

The past 15 years have seen a significant increase in the incarceration of mentally ill individuals, further exacerbating the criminalization of substance use disorders. This has resulted in a lack of accessible and appropriate care in the community. In response, the American Psychiatric Association has published a new edition of Psychiatric Services in Correctional Facilities, aiming to provide leadership in addressing the needs of the often disenfranchised population of the incarcerated.

The purpose of this comprehensive guide is to provide mental health clinicians working in correctional settings with the necessary tools and guidance to navigate the unique challenges of this environment. The work group that authored the report over many years of research, dialogue, and development, urges an expanded role in leadership and advocacy for mental health professionals.

Foundational Principles and Guidelines for Care in Correctional Facilities

The report outlines the foundational principles that apply to providing care in correctional facilities, including the basic types of services that should be provided. It also applies previously established principles and guidelines to specific disorders, patient populations, treatment modalities, and special needs.

Working with patients in correctional facilities presents particular challenges, such as the use of seclusion and restraint, administrative issues, and other hurdles that clinicians may not have encountered in other practice settings.

Critical Guidance and Support for Mental Health Professionals

Psychiatric Services in Correctional Facilities provides critical guidance and support for mental health professionals operating in this often frustrating environment, enabling them to provide both effective treatment and informed advocacy for their patients.

This essential resource is designed to help clinicians navigate the complexities of providing mental health care in correctional facilities, ultimately improving the lives of their patients and promoting a more compassionate and effective approach to mental health care.

Product Details: Paperback, 153 pages, Amer Psychiatric Pub, 3rd edition (June 2, 2015), ISBN-10: 9780890424643, ISBN-13: 978-0890424643