Mental Health Specialists and Services in Correctional Facilities

Data concerning the number of mental health specialists in each of four groups (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and correctional counselors) employed in state and Federal correctional facilities are reviewed. Social workers are seen to represent 76% and 57% of all mental health specialists employed in Federal and state facilities, respectively. In addition, a ratio of one mental health specialist to 52 inmates is observed in Federal facilities, and of one specialist to 81 inmates in state facilities. Data concerning the availability of mental health services (individual and group counseling, vocational assessment, treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse) indicate that these services are almost universally available in state facilities. But the distribution of full-time mental health specialists in these facilities is such that inmates in 93% have no access to a full-time psychiatrist, in 79% no access to a full-time psychologist, in 62% no access to a fill-time social worker, and in 87%...