Needs for and Barriers to Correctional Mental Health Services: Inmate Perceptions

Abstract

Results of this study provide an overarching conceptualization of barriers hindering inmates' willingness to seek services, as well as the types of problems for which they are likely to seek services. Also, inmates' mental health treatment history affected their current perceptions of services.

Mental Health Professionals’ Attitudes Toward Offenders With Mental Illness (Insanity Acquittees) in Ghana

“…These attitudes can result in untoward consequences such as noncompliance to treatment regimen, a phenomenon commonly reported in offenders with mental illness (Barbaree, 2005; Salekin, Worley, & Grimes, 2010), which in turn may account for mental health professionals’ ratings of these offenders as less motivated for change compared with non-offenders (Graham, 1980). These behaviors may similarly deepen the offenders’ dissatisfactions with mental health services, which may hinder them from seeking treatment (Morgan, Steffan, Shaw, & Wilson, 2007). Therefore, the findings of the present study and those of previous studies (Kent-Wilkinson, 1993; Kettles & Robinson, 1998) suggest the need to develop strategies and programs (e.g., training workshops) to promote more positive attitudes among mental health nurses (see Craig, 2005; Hansson & Markström, 2014; Lavoie et al, 2006).…”

Mental Health Service Utilization: General and Gendered Consequences for Prison Strains

“…Scholars suggest that 15% to 20% of inmates require mental health treatment (Metzner et al, 1998), yet nearly half of those with serious mental illness do not receive it (Morgan et al, 2007). Structural barriers unique to the prison setting may prevent effective treatment for inmates.…”

“…Treatment is also not provided or utilized equally. Current trends in mental health service utilization suggest that prisoners who are women, white, and have severe disabilities are more likely to get treatment (Goldkuhle, 1999; Morgan et al, 2007; Steadman et al, 1991). However, programming in women’s prisons typically does not account for unique needs of incarcerated women (i.e., increased rates of sexual victimization and substance abuse), as these programs were often created for incarcerated men (Belknap, 2003; Holsinger, 2014; Holtfreter & Morash, 2003; Sharp & Eriksen, 2003; Wright et al, 2012).…”

“…However, programming in women’s prisons typically does not account for unique needs of incarcerated women (i.e., increased rates of sexual victimization and substance abuse), as these programs were often created for incarcerated men (Belknap, 2003; Holsinger, 2014; Holtfreter & Morash, 2003; Sharp & Eriksen, 2003; Wright et al, 2012). This is particularly alarming as women are more likely to seek treatment in comparison to men both in incarcerated populations (Goldkuhle, 1999; Morgan et al, 2007; Steadman et al, 1991) and the general population (NIMH, 2018). Thus, women may be more likely to receive services, but they may not fit their unique needs.…”

“…Researchers have linked these experiences to mental health problems (Stuart, 2003) and the need for mental health treatment (Guterman et al, 2002). Scholars suggest too that women are more likely to seek mental health treatment generally, and behind bars as well (Morgan et al, 2007; National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2018). Women’s prisons may be limited in their ability to provide adequate resources and treatment to prisoners (Holsinger, 2014; Lahm, 2016; McCorkle, 1995).…”