Mentally Ill and Mentally Deficient Offenders

For a variety of reasons, the criminal justice system tends to be a “first stop” for mentally ill individuals with behavioral problems. Police are often called to resolve mental health crises, and this sometimes results in criminal charges and thus the need to address this unique population in corrections. Rates of many mental illnesses among offenders are disproportionately high. Additionally, individuals with low intelligence (IQ) are also more likely to be involved in corrections. These considerations must be taken into account during supervision and counseling as they can significantly impact strategies that are otherwise effective. While medication for mental health conditions can be effective to manage the symptoms of some clients, medication cannot be forced and may not be effective for other clients. The role of traditional goals for these offenders (e.g., employment) can be even more dramatic although obtaining these goals may place greater pressure on correctional workers. It is the role of the correctional worker to best support clients’ basic needs and encourage direct mental health and medication treatment from a trained professional.