Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This study sought to measure the value of a mental health clinician (MHC) model of assessment and care in the San Diego County jail system. It describes implementation of the model, by which inmates requesting psychiatric care are screened for possible referral to an MHC clinic. Patients who meet certain criteria receive initial evaluation by an MHC rather than direct referral to a psychiatrist. If the clinician determines that further psychiatric evaluation and treatment are not required, holistic treatment is used to address problems such as sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and drug withdrawal. Analysis of clinical use and referral data found several positive outcomes. The model identified patients who do not need to see a psychiatrist and can be treated with holistic approaches. Holistic treatment resulted in marked reduction in patient symptoms and in usage of sleep and antianxiety medications. Psychiatric evaluation time and waiting time for new psychiatric patients decreased, thereby increasing overall access to psychiatric care.

Keywords

correctional heath care correctional mental health jail mental health jail psychiatric care holistic mental health

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Abram, K. M. , & Teplin, L. A. (1991). Co-occurring disorders among mentally ill jail detainees. Implications for public policy. American Psychologist, 46, 1036-1045.

American Psychiatric Association . (2000). Psychiatric services in jails and prisons (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Bolton

(1976). A study of the need for and availability of mental health services for mentally disordered jail inmates and juveniles in detention facilities. Sacramento: California Department of Health.

Gorski, T. T. (1986). Staying sober: A guide for relapse prevention. Thorofare, NJ: Independence Press.

Lovell

, Gagliardi, G. J. , & Peterson, P. D. (2002). Recidivism and use of services among persons with mental illness after release from prison. Psychiatric Services, 53(10), 1290-1296.

Steadman, H. J. (Ed.). (1990). Effectively addressing the mental health needs of jail detainees. Seattle, WA: National Coalition for the Mentally Ill in the Criminal Justice System.

Teplin, L. A. (1990). Detecting disorder: The treatment of mental illness among jail detainees. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 233-236.

Teplin, L. A. (1994). Psychiatric and substance abuse disorders among male urban jail detainees. American Journal of Public Health, 84, 290-293.

Teplin, L. A. , Abram, K. M. , & McClelland, G. M. (1996). The prevalence of psychiatric disorder among incarcerated women. Archives of General Psychiatry, 53, 505-512.

10.

Teplin, L. A. , Abram, K. M. , & McClelland, G. M. (1997). Mentally disordered women in jail: Who receives services? American Journal of Public Health, 87(4), 604-609.

11.

Weisman

(1998). Mental health outpatient services in correctional settings. In M. Puisis (Ed.), Clinical practice in correctional medicine (pp. 221-233). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

12.

Wilson

, Tien

, & Eaves

(1995). Increasing the community tenure of mentally disordered offenders: An assertive case management program. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 18, 61-69.