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ALBANY---The New York State Senate has given final legislative passage to legislation that would prohibit mentally ill inmates from being placed in solitary confinement "special housing units" and would establish residential treatment program for these inmates.
Currently, approximately 12 percent of the prison population, (approximately 8,000 inmates) is affected by serious mental illness. In addition, studies have shown that when this population is disciplined using solitary confinement, inmates engage in acts of self-mutilation and commit suicide at a rate three times higher than inmates in the general prison population.
Under the provisions of the bill, inmates who meet the criteria for serious mental illness, will be removed and placed in a residential mental health treatment program or any other clinically appropriate program. In addition, the superintendent is required to report to the Commissioner on the mental health treatment or confinement of such inmates.
In addition to excluding inmates with serious mental illness from isolated confinement, the bill would require that residential mental health treatment programs be established by the Commissioner of Corrections.
These programs would provide clinically appropriate treatment for inmates while maintaining the safety and security of the facility. In addition under the legislation, the Department would conduct 40 hours of initial training for all correctional staff working in the residential mental health treatment programs. Eight hours of annual training would also be given to all correctional staff department-wide.
The bill will be sent to the Governor for his consideration. 6-23-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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