Innovations in Correctional Assessment and Treatment

Abstract

This article considers innovations in the assessment and treatment of incarcerated individuals. The emphasis is on immediate patient needs and inmate management concerns, rather than on rehabilitation. Assessment of this diagnostically complex population is framed in dimensional and biopsychosocial terms. Scarce resources, new scientific knowledge and technology, organizational barriers, and role transformations for psychologists will guide improvements and future research in correctional mental health care, as reflected in specific areas: dimensional assessment, suicide risk assessment, neuropsychological correlates of chronic maladaptive behavior, prescriptive authority for psychologists, and telehealth. In particular, outcome research based on a broader range of interventions will be increasingly crucial to the effectiveness of correctional psychologists' work. In the near future, the degree of impact that psychologists have will depend largely on their individual and collective initiative in promoting the benefits of their services.

A Study of the Use and Interpretation of Standardized Suicide Risk Assessment: Measures within a Psychiatrically Hospitalized Correctional Population

“…As Ax et al. (, p. 898) argued, “research is needed on known high‐risk subgroups (e.g., mentally ill offenders)… to develop predictive tools to differentiate the characteristics of specific mentally ill offenders that put them at risk for suicide attempts or death.”…”

Creating, reinforcing, and resisting the gender binary: a qualitative study of transgender women’s healthcare experiences in sex-segregated jails and prisons

“…In the absence of proper documentation of prior hormone use, correctional institutions should follow the same policies and practices they utilize to manage patients with other acute physical and mental health conditions; that is, diagnose and treat transgender patients in need of care (Ax et al, 2007, Baillargeon et al, 2008). For patients who are gender dysphoric, providers can utilize the criteria in version 5 of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual to diagnose patients (APA, 2013) and provide appropriate treatment (e.g., mental health counseling, hormone therapy) (Coleman et al, 2012).…”

Managing Mentally Ill Inmates in Prisons

“…From a therapeutic perspective, it is possible to take advantage of these specialized environments to reduce stress or other detrimental experiences. For example, Ax et al (2007) noted that there are distinct environmental triggers for irritable aggression. This type of aggression often occurs in response to a frustration or insult.…”