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Mental Health for the Convicted Offender - A Model That Works

NCJ Number
75543
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 43 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1981) Pages: 20,24,26-27
Author(s)
R A Kiel
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The problem of providing care and custody for mentally disturbed or retarded offenders is considered and efforts of the North Carolina Division of Prisons in this area are described.
Abstract
Growing numbers of disturbed or retarded persons are being sent to prison for minor crimes because the courts have no satisfactory avenue for disposition of cases involving such individuals. Prison systems should stress services to these offenders. Mental health services in North Carolina prisons date from the 1930's, when a psychologist was first assigned to work with inmates. Until recently, responsibility for these services were divided between State mental health and corrections services. A cooperative agreement resolved this issue by placing responsibility for incarcerated inmates with the correctional system. In 1977, new mental health services standards in the State prompted the development of a mental health plan for implementing the standards in prisons. The plan specified service delivery and facility responsibilities. Currently, the State operates five facilities with mental health treatment capability, is opening a new center for treating moderate and minimum security inmates, and has developed a computerized tracking system. An in-depth epidemiological study is needed to define future goals. Footnotes are included.