Penitentiary Psychiatric Centers: Providing mental health care in detention

• In Event: Mental health problems in forensic settings

Abstract

In order to provide qualitative mental health care, five psychiatric centers have been established within the Dutch prison system: the so-called Penitentiary Psychiatric Centers (PPC’s). Apart from providing the necessary care, prisoners receive an extensive diagnostic assessment, their condition is stabilized and they are motivated for treatment. By cooperating with outpatients settings it is attempted to ensure continuity of care and to prevent recidivism. In 2012 the research project National Database PPC’s was started. Within this project data are systematically gathered on the demographics, legal and psychiatric history, clinical condition at admittance, changes in clinical condition of all the admitted patients. In general, these detainees suffer from severe psychiatric disorders, often in combination with a cluster B-personality disorder and addiction problems. Most of them have committed many and severe offences. Prison seems to provide an opportunity to contact these patients who have poor self-insight, tend to refuse medication and psychiatric care, and have a high risk on recidivism. The data also show that the PPC’s seem to be, on average, effective in reducing the psychiatric symptoms and behavior problems and in motivating patients to continue care after detention.

Authors

• Dorina D. Denzel, VU University Amsterdam

• Joke Harte, VU University Amsterdam / NSCR

• Jan Gorter, Penintentiary Psychiatric Centre Amsterdam

• Erik Scherder, VU University Amsterdam