“Mental Health Screening: A Review of Local and Regional Assessments in Mississippi Jails”

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Over 64 percent of jail inmates report mental health concerns in the United States. Research shows that such conditions coupled with inadequate care can reinforce misbehavior and hinder healthy adjustment during incarceration. Limited research, however, has explored the guidelines provided by jail facilities for screening and assessing mental illness in correctional settings, including policies regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria, categories of illness, and the treatment provisions awarded to inmates. To address this gap in the literature, this study will employ a mixed-method design to examine the policy guidelines for mental health screening in jails in Mississippi. Gaps between policy and practice may reveal areas for improvement and a need for additional detection and education.

Author

• Sierra Molina, University of Mississippi