THE IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS IN NEWLY ARRESTED PRISONERS

Marc A. Schuckit, Gerard Herrman, Judith J. Schuckit

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · 1977 · 46 citations · 0 references

Concepts

Abstract

One hundred ninety-nine male prisoners without prior felony convictions were evaluated through a structured personal interview administered within 24 hours of this arrest. While 46 per cent met psychiatric diagnostic criteria, only 5 per cent demonstrated a need for acute treatment for their affective disorder or organic brain syndrome. It is felt that the alcoholics (15 per cent) and drug-abusing prisoners (12 per cent) might benefit from counseling but were not in need of emergency care. The characteristics of men in each diagnostic group are discussed.