Chapter IV: Incarceration and Reentry
Policy Statement 17: Receiving and Intake of Sentenced Inmates
Develop a consistent approach to screen sentenced
inmates for mental illness upon admission to state prison or jail facilities
and make referrals, as appropriate, for follow-up assessment and/or
evaluations.
Recommendation e: Conduct a comprehensive mental health evaluation of every inmate flagged as having significant mental health issues during the professional mental health assessment process.
A comprehensive mental health evaluation should include, at a minimum, the following:
- mental health history
- prior treatment
- medication history
- relevant psychosocial history (i.e., family, social, legal, relationships)
- functional assessment
- current situational stressors
- mental status examination
- current diagnosis
- relevant medical diagnoses
- current medication
- substance abuse status
The evaluation should include a structured interview with inmates and a review of any available mental health records and collateral information, including behavioral observations by institutional staff. The evaluation should result in a diagnosis and a preliminary treatment plan.