Citation

Daigle MS. Int. J. Prison Health 2007; 3(2): 163-171.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group)

DOI

10.1080/17449200701321779

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

There is a dissonance between the purposes and services of the justice system compared to the needs of suicidal people or those with mental health problems. Correctional authorities are faced with sometimes difficult responsibilities when they have to incarcerate those who fall through the gaps in the social safety net. Correctional Service Canada's (CSC) mandate is to carry out the sentences of two or more years imposed by the Court; consequently that federal authority may have more time and means than its provincial counterparts receive for inmates on remand or serving shorter sentences. CSC developed strategies for inmates with mental health problems and, specifically, an exhaustive suicide prevention program. The implementation of all the components of the mental health strategy is not completed but it is based on good planning. With respect to suicide prevention activities, these are mainly based on screening the most vulnerable inmates at the time of intake, but they cover a larger spectrum. © 2007 Taylor & Francis.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; mental health; suicide; female; male; safety; screening; Suicide prevention; article; controlled study; health program; health service; social aspect; prisoner; health care planning; criminal justice; Correctional Service Canada (CSC); Screening instruments