Inmates with special needs
Inmates with Special Needs
Sarah Berry
CJA/234
November 25, 2013
Richard Gilbert
Inmates with Special Needs Inmate with special needs, mental illnesses, substance-abuse issues, juvenile offenders, and older inmates are all considered special offenders upon entering the correctional facility and classification process. These inmates are classified as special offenders, which refers to inmates with behavioral issues that will need close supervision, specific treatment plans, and sometimes treatment outside the correctional facility (Seiter, 2011). The number one complaint filed by prisoners is inmate neglect and although many cases amount to nothing, a higher percentage of cases won are by those of special offenders (Allison, 2012). Programs that cater to inmates, such as The Residential Drug and Alcohol Program (RDAP), who need more attention and have special needs not only reduce inmate litigation, but also decrease recidivism rates for inmates that complete the necessary programs. Special Needs Affects on Correctional Facilities Inmates with special needs, mental illness, and substance-abuse affect the jail and prison system at state and federal levels by increased cost, require separate housing facilities, and increased correctional officer supervision. These inmates need specific treatment programs that typically cost more than those programs offered to other inmates. Medication, therapies, treatment facilities, and special programs that help these offenders rehabilitate require licensed professionals that can demand more money for their work environment than other professionals in the same facility (Allison, 2012). The need for separate housing units, single cells, dormitory units, or hospitalization also requires more money spent in this department, rather fixing the problems in general population and increases overcrowding. Youth offenders sentenced as adults in particular cause strain on the system as many prisons insist
Sarah Berry
CJA/234
November 25, 2013
Richard Gilbert
Inmates with Special Needs Inmate with special needs, mental illnesses, substance-abuse issues, juvenile offenders, and older inmates are all considered special offenders upon entering the correctional facility and classification process. These inmates are classified as special offenders, which refers to inmates with behavioral issues that will need close supervision, specific treatment plans, and sometimes treatment outside the correctional facility (Seiter, 2011). The number one complaint filed by prisoners is inmate neglect and although many cases amount to nothing, a higher percentage of cases won are by those of special offenders (Allison, 2012). Programs that cater to inmates, such as The Residential Drug and Alcohol Program (RDAP), who need more attention and have special needs not only reduce inmate litigation, but also decrease recidivism rates for inmates that complete the necessary programs. Special Needs Affects on Correctional Facilities Inmates with special needs, mental illness, and substance-abuse affect the jail and prison system at state and federal levels by increased cost, require separate housing facilities, and increased correctional officer supervision. These inmates need specific treatment programs that typically cost more than those programs offered to other inmates. Medication, therapies, treatment facilities, and special programs that help these offenders rehabilitate require licensed professionals that can demand more money for their work environment than other professionals in the same facility (Allison, 2012). The need for separate housing units, single cells, dormitory units, or hospitalization also requires more money spent in this department, rather fixing the problems in general population and increases overcrowding. Youth offenders sentenced as adults in particular cause strain on the system as many prisons insist
References: Allison, E. (2012). Disabled prisoners ' lives put at risk by poor care and treatment in jail. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/sep/18/disabled-prisoners-lives-risk-treatment-jails Federal Bureau of Prisons. (2013). Substance abuse treatment. Retrieved from http://www.bop.gov/inmate_programs/substance.jsp Seiter, R. (2011). Corrections an introduction (3rd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection.