Citation

Way BB, Sawyer DA, Lilly SN, Moffitt C, Stapholz BJ. Psychiatr. Serv. 2008; 59(11): 1335-1337.

Affiliation

Central New York Psychiatric Center, New York Office of Mental Health, Box 300, Marcy, NY 13403, USA. bruceway@verizon.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.59.11.1335

PMID

18971412

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the characteristics of inmates who received a diagnosis of serious mental illness upon entry to a New York State prison. The number has been rapidly increasing since the 1990s. METHODS: Chart review was performed for inmates who entered prison between May 15, 2007, and June 14, 2007, and received a diagnosis of serious mental illness. RESULTS: Six percent (172 of 2,918 inmates) received a diagnosis of serious mental illness. The mean+/-SD age of these 172 patients was 36+/-9.6. A total of 167 (97%) had a prior psychiatric hospitalization, and 48 (28%) had four or more. Seventy-nine (46%) had their first hospitalization ten or more years ago. A total of 107 (62%) had a prior serious suicide attempt, 101 (59%) had prior inpatient treatment for substance abuse, and 79 (46%) had prior state prison incarceration. CONCLUSIONS: This is a very high-need population for which correctional mental health services need to plan.

Language: en