Mental illness a serious problem in correctional facilities

National Union president James Clancy says Ottawa and provinces must take issue seriously

Ottawa - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) says a growing number of inmates are suffering from mental illness and developmental disabilities, presenting a serious risk to correctional workers and other inmates in federal and provincial institutions across the country.

NUPGE represents workers in all sectors at the provincial correctional level, including correctional officers, staff who work with young offenders, sheriffs, probation and parole, counsellors, health workers, administrators and others.

"In New Brunswick a young man with autism was placed in a young offenders facility because the province lacked the facilities to adequately serve him," says NUPGE president James Clancy.

"When public outcry became too much the province transferred him to Maine."

Clancy says another place where serious problems exist is the overcrowded Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre, a notorious provincial institution located in Ottawa.

"Recently it was revealed that there are six mentally ill people, who have been charged with crimes, being held at the detention centre, even though this has been ruled both illegal and unconstitutional."

As a result, everyone involved is placed at risk - inmates, guards, staff and members of the public who visit institutions, he adds. "It is an appalling situation brought on by provincial cuts to mental health services in the community and in our correctional facilities."

Crisis in federal institutions

Meanwhile, the situation appears to be no better at the federal level.

The annual report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator points out that the population of federal inmates with "significant, identified mental health needs" has more than doubled in the past decade.

Other findings in the report include the following:

• The number of federal offenders diagnosed with a mental disorder at the time of admission rose from 6.8% to 11.1% between 1997 to 2004 (a 61% increase).

• The number of inmates taking prescribed psychotropic medications at the time of admission increased by almost 80% between 1997 and 2004 (from 10% to 18.5%).

• In 1998, it was determined that 1,000 inmates out of 14,000 in the prison population were diagnosed with mental-health disorders. By 2004, the number had soared to 1,500 in a prison population of 12,500.

Howard Sapers, the federal correctional investigator, says the situation is so serious that the correctional service "must act swiftly" to address "the serious deficiencies in the delivery of mental health services to this vulnerable group of offenders."

"Public safety will be enhanced if we ensure that offenders with mental illnesses are released back in the community having received adequate care," Sapers says.

"To reduce the likelihood that inmates, who are mentally ill, will re-offend after they are released, means providing a continuum of care - from assessment, through diagnosis, treatment and timely, supportive transitioning back to communities - safely, effectively and efficiently," he adds.

Clancy adds that provincial jails face similar problems.

"These challenges are not confined to the federal correctional system. Provincial correctional officers report that the number of people with serious mental health problems is growing," he notes.

"Governments at all levels must take this issue seriously," he adds. "We urge everyone concerned to take action before it is too late. Start investing in community mental health services. Dramatically improve mental health services in correctional facilities. Train the staff how to recognize and effectively deal with these illnesses." NUPGE

Web posted by NUPGE: 6 November 2005