An integrated treatment program for mentally ill offenders: Description and evaluation

Author(s): Cooke, Gerald

Journal/Book: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. 1982; 26: 53-61.

Abstract: Describes a cooperative psychiatric treatment program between the criminal justice and mental health systems. The program operated for 40 mo; 117 mentally ill offenders were treated. Treatment occurred in a hospital rather than a prison and included psychological evaluations; psychotropic medication; group and individual psychotherapy; occupational, recreational, and music therapy; and vocational and/or academic counseling and training. The primary treatment modality was based on a therapeutic community (TC) model that assumed that lack of moral development is at least partially responsible for criminal behavior. An important part of the entire treatment program (including the TC) was the involvement of all levels of treatment staff. Several case histories (including one of a correctional officer) illustrate the program's effectiveness. The project demonstrates that close cooperation between correctional and mental health agencies can lead to the effective treatment of mentally ill offenders in conjunction with appropriate release planning. (French, German & Spanish abstracts) (4 ref)

Note: integrated therapeutic community treatment approach; mentally ill offenders

Keyword(s): Mental disorders; therapeutic community; interdisciplinary treatment approach; criminals

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