Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #9 - Management and Treatment of the Mentally Ill and Mentally Unwell in Corrections (ACJ9-A006)
Abstract
In the United States, jails have become the largest mental health institutions and have come under public scrutiny regarding the accessibility and quality of the mental health services provided. Research supports that the architectural design of a correctional facility influences the behaviors and wellbeing of an incarcerated person, including the treatment and services received while incarcerated. This pilot study utilizes the Space, Layout, and Setting (SLS) framework to investigate the impact of New York City’s jail design on an incarcerated person’s access to mental health services. Results approaching statistical significance show that jails concentrated with mental health services are more likely to have mental health appointments completed compared to jails that are not. This holds true when controlling for jail capacity and the number of mental health appointments scheduled. Whilst it is best practice to have mental health services provided outside of the correctional setting, correctional administrators that seek to better serve their mental health population may consider exploring the designs of their facilities to be more treatment oriented.
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