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Principles of Secondary Preventive Psychiatry in Corrections

NCJ Number
74142
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: (1980) Pages: 159-163
Author(s)
J S Zil
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Four definitions of secondary prevention are examined and put into the framework of a public health model of mental health intervention in corrections.
Abstract
The general concept of secondary prevention is applicable to the early stages of a disease. It involves early diagnosis and prompt treatment to prevent spread to others if the disease is communicable and to cure or arrest the disease process in order to forestall complications and prolonged disability. The first definition of secondary prevention relevant to corrections is the public health model, which assumes working with the individual at critical stages during imprisonment when problems appear to be developing, e.g. when prisoners display anxiety and other related symptoms in anticipation of being released. Crisis intervention, including brief, goal-oriented psychotherapy is advised. The medical definition of secondary prevention refers to problems arising from a known circumstance or condition. In application to corrections, the offender is seen as suffering symptoms which originate mainly in external conditions, i.e. the environment. However, it is highly questionable that societal deprivation can be compensated for. The third concept is that of the prevention of secondary spread, based on the concern for others who suffer from the behavior of the maladaptive individual, i.e. the victim, the family (loss of income, mental anguish, etc.) and the society as a whole (e.g. from the fear of crime). Prevention of secondary sequilae is the fourth concept. It is mainly concerned with development of prison subculture, and as such is a concern of correctional mental health administrators rather than individual mental health workers. The discussion following the presentation of the paper, references, and tabular data are included.