Correctional Psychiatric Services for DCSO Inmates
According to the National Association of Mental Health, nearly 15% of men and 31% of women booked into jails have a serious mental health condition. Managing mental health in jails not only affects the people who are incarcerated and the correctional staff members who work with them; it impacts the health and safety of our community. Research shows that the reoffending rate for individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness is statistically higher than the rate among other individuals with criminal histories. However, treatment programs for individuals with serious mental illness may reduce recidivism.* Effectively managing mental health in jails is a community safety issue.
In addition to early screening practices and identification and classification of inmates, which allows for an initial needs assessment and the ability to arrange appropriate longer-term care plans for individuals with mental healthcare needs, the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is finding great success in providing regular and accessible resources based both locally and connected to a larger statewide network.
When an individual is incarcerated at the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction, a medical screening is completed during booking to determine mental health history and current status, with a follow-up in-depth nursing assessment completed by DCSO nurses. When appropriate, Correctional Psychiatric Services (CPS) then completes a mental health evaluation. CPS is a Massachusetts-based tele-behavioral service with mental health professionals who are specifically trained to work with individuals who are incarcerated. Inmates may connect to their specialized Social Worker, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and/or Psychiatrist, depending on who fits their needs best.
“Inmates will have their first scheduled meeting with a Licensed Psychiatric Social Worker after our Nurse’s assessment.'' says Micki Valenti, RNC, BSN, DSCO Health Services Administrator. Inmates with mental health needs have access to regularly scheduled confidential sessions via a full-screen two-way video conferencing system in a secure, private space in the facility. The CPS Social Worker and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner communicate with the CPS Psychiatrist and DCSO medical staff, approaching inmate mental health care as a team. “The DCSO medical team has 24/7 access to the CPS team,” Nurse Valenti explains. “The result is immediate access to appropriate medications, and fast referrals when inmates need to be transferred to a psychiatric stabilization unit off-island. In the case of a transfer, our CPS Psychiatrist evaluates our transferred inmates at the stabilization unit for further treatment. They also assist the DCSO medical team in developing treatment and care plans for all of our inmates. We are very fortunate to be working with CPS. They are professional, flexible, supportive and extremely knowledgeable. ”
In the case of an immediate mental health emergency, Dukes County Sheriff’s Office utilizes Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ Emergency Services program. “Our inmates who have an emergent mental health crisis can speak to a Counselor through Emergency Services immediately, and are transported to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for treatment when appropriate. We are grateful for these community connections.” says Nurse Valenti.
Inmates of the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office have the opportunity to work with the DCSO Director of Human Services to create a plan for care for after they leave the facility. From working with inmates, to setting up health insurance, to defining goals that form a long-term care plan, DCSO staff work together to provide inmates access to tools for successful re-entry to the community and to reduce the rates of recidivism.
The Dukes County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing quality mental health services through the use of a broad array of professionals, innovations such as tele-behavioral services, and partnerships with community-based emergency service providers. In the first year of this approach, costs to the facility were reduced and inmate engagement with psychiatric care improved greatly. “We are in a position to provide crucial services to individuals who are at a juncture in life where they may need it the most.” says Sheriff Ogden. “Due to our utilization of this cutting edge, easily-accessed technology we are providing high-quality, cost-effective mental health services and evaluation to our Jail, Regional Lock-up, and House of Correction. Access to a variety of excellent, flexible, and correction-informed mental health services not only benefits inmates and staff; it benefits our entire community.”
* “Treat or Repeat: A State Survey of Serious Mental Illness, Major Crimes and Community Treatment.” Treatment Advocacy Center, September 2017. http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/ storage/documents/treat-or-repeat.pdf