Offering group mental health programs in a maximum security correctional facility

Observations, outcomes and recommendations

Authors

  • Amar Ghelani CAMH / Laurier University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15173/ijrr.v3i1.4030

Keywords:

Prison mental health groups, Correctional mental health, Forensic mental health, Forensic social work, Correctional social work, Prison social work

Abstract

In the following article, the author discusses psychoeducational groups offered in a men’s maximum security prison by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s (CAMH) Forensic Early Intervention Service (FEIS) in partnership with correctional services staff.  The author shares observations and experiences facilitating mental health programs with clients in custody and explore related challenges, risks and opportunities. Outcomes and feedback from group participants are reviewed and recommendations for others interested in offering similar programs are presented.

References

Simpson AIF, McMaster JJ, Cohen SN. Challenges for Canada in meeting the needs of persons with serious mental illness in Prison. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2013;41(4):501-9.

Independent Review of Ontario Corrections Team. Corrections in Ontario: directions for reform. Queens Printer for Ontario. 2017 (accessed on November 25, 2019).

Simpson AIF, Jones RM. Two challenges affecting access to care for clients with serious mental illness: Detecting illness and acceptable services. Can J Psychiatry. 2018;63(10):648–50.

McMurran M. Motivational interviewing with offenders: a systematic review. Legal Criminol Psychol. 2009;14(1):83-100.

Shelton D, Sampl S, Kesten KL, et al. (2009). Treatment of impulsive aggression in correctional settings. Behav Sci Law. 2009;27(5):787-800.

Glancy G, Simpson AIF. Ethical dilemmas in correctional institutions. In E. Griffith (Ed.), Ethics challenges in forensic psychiatry and psychology practice. New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 2018:101-15.

Cover of Volume 3 Issue 1 - August 2020

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Published

2020-12-01

How to Cite

Ghelani, A. (2020). Offering group mental health programs in a maximum security correctional facility: Observations, outcomes and recommendations. International Journal of Risk and Recovery, 3(1), 35–38. https://doi.org/10.15173/ijrr.v3i1.4030

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Letter to the Editor

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