A Prison Mental Health Screening Unit: A First for New South Wales

Adams, Jonathon; Ellis, Andrew M.; Brown, Allison; Owens, Dale; Halsey, Rebecca

doi:10.1080/10398560802444036

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…17 Funding sources exist for joint initiatives between mental health and criminal justice agencies to target low-level, nonviolent offenders with mental illness. One county has tried a centralized mental health screening unit with few adverse events and a low rate of hospital transfer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treating Psychiatric Emergencies in Incarcerated Minors in the Emergency Department

Wood¹,

Donofrio²,

Santillanes³

et al. 2014

Pediatric Emergency Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Although mental health disorders are common among incarcerated minors, psychiatric urgencies and emergencies often cannot be treated in juvenile detention facilities, necessitating emergency department (ED) transfers. The cost of this ED care has not been well studied.Objective: This study aimed to provide information on disposition and cost related to ED visits by juvenile hall patients transported for urgent psychiatric evaluation.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study of patients presenting to 1 ED from juvenile detention centers for consideration of psychiatric holds was conducted. Eligible patients were identified by a search of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, discharge diagnosis codes and chart review. We collected information on patient demographics and disposition and calculated costs of ED visits, screening laboratories performed, inpatient stays on a medical ward, sitter and parole officer salaries, and ambulance transfers.Results: One hundred eight patients accounting for 196 visits were transported from juvenile hall for urgent psychiatric evaluation. Of the 196 visits, 131 (67%) resulted in an involuntary psychiatric hold. More than half of the patients on hold (75 patients) were admitted to a medical ward for boarding because of lack of psychiatric inpatient beds. Included charges for the 196 visits during the 18-month period totaled US $1,357,884, with most of the costs due to boarding on the medical ward. Conclusions:We describe the magnitude and cost associated with addressing psychiatric emergencies in a juvenile correctional system relying on transport of patients to an ED for acute psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Further research is needed to determine if costs could be decreased by increasing psychiatric resources in juvenile detention centers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treating Psychiatric Emergencies in Incarcerated Minors in the Emergency Department

Wood¹,

Donofrio²,

Santillanes³

et al. 2014

Pediatric Emergency Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Prisoners are not a homogeneous group; for example, additional barriers to wellness may be experienced by women in prison (evidence suggests that women are more likely to experience mental illness: see Walsh 2003). The increased likelihood of mental illness in remand and reception populations has also been noted by Butler et al (2005 cited in Adams 2009). While groups of prisoners experience mental illness in different ways, at different rates and with variable opportunities to access support and treatment, it is clear that all prisoners who need or attempt to access forensic mental health services are likely to experience some difficulties in accessing services.…”

Section: The Criminal Justice Systemmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…There is broad consensus that rates of mental disorder l are higher in criminal justice populations than in the community (Adams et al 2009;AIHW 20 II;Department of Health and Ageing 2009;Richardson and McSherry 20 10). Reported rates of mental distress are three to six times higher in Australian police arrestees than in the general population (Mouzos et al 2007), and studies of Australian court defendants also show high rates of mental disorder (Ross and Graham 2012).…”

Section: Mental Disorder In the Australian Criminal Justice Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Mental Health in Australia: Charting the Gaps

Hanley

Ross

2013

Current Issues in Criminal Justice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Some jurisdictions have special areas of the prison devoted to care of mentally ill prisoners. 12 Surveys show very high rates of major psychotic and mood disorders, as well as high prevalence mental disorders in Australian prison settings. 13 This is comparable with international findings on the rates of mental illness in custody.…”

Section: Forensic Psychiatry In Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic psychiatry and mental health in Australia: an overview

Ellis

2019

CNS Spectr.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article reviews the development of forensic psychiatry and mental health services in Australia for the international reader. It covers the legacy of a series of colonial systems that have contributed to a modern health service that interacts with justice systems. The development of relevant legislation, hospitals, prison services, community, and courts services is reviewed. The training and academic development of professionals is covered. Gaps in service delivery and future directions are considered.

show abstract

A Prison Mental Health Screening Unit: A First for New South Wales

Abstract: The MHSU had a considerable throughput of patients and managed a range of severe mental illnesses. The initial objectives of the MHSU have broadly been achieved. There are several future areas of research discussed.

Cited by 4 publications

References 11 publications

Treating Psychiatric Emergencies in Incarcerated Minors in the Emergency Department

Treating Psychiatric Emergencies in Incarcerated Minors in the Emergency Department

Forensic Mental Health in Australia: Charting the Gaps

Forensic psychiatry and mental health in Australia: an overview

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About