NCJ Number
157516
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry Volume: 40 Issue: 1-4 Dated: (1994) Pages: 21-28
Date Published
1994
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The character of psychiatric services provided in large dormitory-style prisons in California has changed substantially from the 1950's when the California Medical Facility (CMF) opened as the central health facility for the Department of Corrections.
Abstract
The new dormitory-style prisons do not have medical facilities that provide a full range of health care services. Rather, these prisons provide first aid, simple emergency care, and routine medical service to able-bodied inmates whose medical problems can be handled on an outpatient basis. Civilian medical facilities provide supplementary health care services. Some dormitory-style prisons have a full-time psychiatrist, while others obtain consultant services elsewhere. The challenge of psychotherapy in these prisons is to apply the limited available time to inmates who will benefit most. A major gap exists between stated policies and actual practices, with the result that each prison establishes its own philosophies and practices. Another problem involves determining the optimum range and intensity of psychiatric mental health services. Types of psychiatric services in the new California prisons are briefly described, and a psychiatric treatment contract is included. 22 references