Correctional Psychology In Prisons

When working in a prison, the assessments used on the individuals entering and returning to the public are considered an important part of the decision-making process for the initial placement and re-entry into society to ensure that presenting symptoms of mental illness are identified. Prison assessments are also used to identify and assist with the placement of the inmates in treatment programs and assist the inmates identified with serious or acute mental illness, those who as suicidal, and those with dangerous or disruptive symptoms (n/a, 2004). Many of the inmates entering these institutions are found to try to hide their illnesses, some may not know they have a mental illness or have the capability of conveying the needed information about their symptoms,
In the field of correctional psychology every detainee, prisoner or offender are offered the benefits of treatment programs offered or many are required to seek one or more of the services offered including assessments, crisis interventions, substance abuse treatment, or reentry planning (Bartol, 2014). In this, a study found mental health treatment results have improved mental health functioning as well as better adjustments and coping skills of offenders within an institution or upon release back into society (Bartol, 2014). Psychologists that practice in juvenile and adult correctional settings are confronted with several different ethical problems than those in other forensic position which can include being asked to assess the risk of future dangerousness of a person facing a potential death sentence (Bartol, 2014). Recent findings show that psychologists have been asked to perform evaluations on sexual offenders at the end of their sentences to determine whether they are eligible for civil commitment under sexually violent predator laws (Bartol,