Chapter VI: Training Practitioners and Policymakers and Educating the Community

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Outline
Introduction
Policy Statements:
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Additional Resources

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Policy Statement 30: Traing For Corrections Personnel

Train corrections staff to recognize symptoms of mental illness and to respond appropriately to people with mental illness.

Overview
Recommendations:
a
b
c
d
e

As is the case with law enforcement executives, corrections administrators place a premium on trained staff. In addition, like those in policing organizations, training efforts in corrections agencies typically fall into one of four categories: new skills (basic), pre-service (academy), in-service, and advanced. (See Policy Statement 28: Training for Law Enforcement Personnel, for brief definitions of the different levels of training.) At the county level, however - especially in small jurisdictions - correctional staff may receive minimal pre-service training, and the level of in-service training varies widely across different jurisdictions.

Recommendations:

a.: Provide basic training regarding mental health issues to all corrections staff who come into contact with detainees or inmates with mental illness.
b.: Incorporate competency-based training in mental health issues in existing academy (pre-service) training programs and in-service programs for corrections staff.
c.: Provide advanced training to corrections staff assigned to work specifically with inmates with mental illness.
d.: Provide parole board members with training in order to inform them about issues regarding the release of people with mental illness from prison.
e.: Provide training for parole officers to improve their ability to supervise parolees with mental illness.