Demographic and diagnostic characteristics of inmates receiving mental health services in state adult correctional facilities: United States, 1988.

Abstract

The demographic and diagnostic characteristics of inmates in State adult correctional facilities who received 24-hour hospital mental health care, residential treatment care, and counseling/therapy in 1988 are reported by State and by type of administrative auspices under which the services are provided. Rates under treatment for 24-hour hospital mental health care were highest for the youngest (under 18) and oldest (65 and over) age groups, for females, and for whites. For counseling/therapy, rates were also highest for the youngest, for females, and for whites, but they declined with age. Rates in residential treatment were highest for the young and old and for whites, but about equal for males and females. Primary diagnoses of major psychoses predominated in 24-hour hospital mental health care. In residential treatment, a comparatively small proportion of the caseload had major psychotic disorders and a comparatively large proportion had substance abuse and mental retardation diagnoses. In counseling/therapy, personality disorders predominated. Individual State figures vary widely on these characteristics, both within and between service auspice types.