Understanding Inmate with Mental Health
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Professor’s Name
Date
Understanding Inmate with Mental Health
Introduction
The number of inmates with mental health problems has been on the rise over the decades. The rise in the number of inmates affected by mental health issues is to the failure of the state and federal officers to take adequate measures. Statistics indicate that 64 percent of the incarcerated individuals report mental health concerns. The data will be collected using questionnaires. The questionnaires will be designed using the 5-point Likert scale. An assessment of the mental health program is vital in understanding the risks and challenges that the inmates face.
Goal Statement
The goal of the mental health program is to provide a platform to assess the mental health programs available for the audience and their effectiveness. The program seeks to analyze the available opportunities and the literature on mental health among inmates. The goal of the program is to help the inmates with mental issues to overcome their problems. A critical assessment of the problem will generate quality outcomes to enhance the response to the problem. Continue assessment of the state of the mental health among the inmates is vital to enhance the welfare of the inmates.
Project Objectives
The goal of the program is to help the inmates with mental issues to overcome their problems. One of the recommendations is to educate the inmates about the stigma related to mental disorders. Inmates have a risk of experiencing adverse mental health issues if they do not receive a timely response. The response should involve support from other inmates and the prison staff. The focus is to ensure they receive treatment and support during recovery. The second objective is to provide proactive measures to eliminate the risk of late diagnosis. Inmates have a risk of mental health due to isolation, separation from society, and late diagnosis. Prisoners may delay getting testing due to the stigma associated with mental health issues. The third goal of the program is to educate the inmates to ensure they receive support and treatment during and after their imprisonment. Inmates who do not receive support after imprisonment is at risk of relapse. The relapse can affect an individual and affect their integration into society. The relapse can affect the mental health and ability to remodel their behavior (Stringer, 2019). A comprehensive assessment of the problem of mental health disorders among inmates is vital to develop lasting solutions to the crisis.
Evidence-based review of the Literature for Project Justification
A public health intervention is vital to provide solutions to the inmates suffering from mental illness. Studies show that inmates continue to suffer from mental illness due to their exposure to traumatic experiences (Farrell, 2019). The inmates can still experience worse outcomes due to exposure to drug abuse. For instance, drug abuse according to scholars can generate negative outcomes such as depression and hallucination. The negative outcomes demonstrate the need to develop a health program. The health program should be custom-made for the inmates to address their unique needs (Galanek, 2015). For instance, the program should address the mental health disorders occurring among male and female inmates across different age brackets. Health programs for the inmates can provide better opportunities for recovery. It can help the inmates to experience better integration into society (Holt et al., 2005). The integration in society will help the communities to experience less crime and violence in the future.
Statistics indicate that 64 percent of the incarcerated individuals report mental health concerns. The statistics demonstrate the rising crisis among the inmates. A 2009 study showed that only 24 percent of the inmates had reported mental health concerns (Horn et al., 2014). A 2019 study that shows that 64 percent of the inmates had mental problems is alarming (Drakeford, 2019). The problem could be due to the rising number of inmates and the deteriorating condition. Another factor could be the rising penetration of drug abuse in society. Drug abuse is a major factor that leads to negative outcomes such as hallucinations and depression. Drug abuse can complicate recovery from drug abuse (Drakeford, 2019). For instance, inmates are exposed to drug abuse and other criminal activities in the correction facilities. Involvement in illegal activities can worsen the use of drugs and reluctance to report cases of mental disorders.
Mental health stigma is a major factor affecting the inmates. For instance, it affects the readiness to volunteer information about mental health. Statistics indicate that male inmates are highly affected by mental illnesses when they fail to report incidences of depression or hallucination (Drakeford, 2019). Harassment among other male inmates can increase the risk of mental problems. Immediate response is needed to prevent negative outcomes. For instance, cases of suicide or violence among male inmates have been related to poor mental conditions. The violence undermines the rehabilitation centers among the inmates (Karim et al., 2019). Immediate and strategic action is necessary to rescue a condition that is worsening the condition in the criminal justice system.
Methodology
The methodology will involve collecting data from a set of 100 inmates across five different state and country rehabilitation centers. The rehabilitation centers will provide some of the mechanisms that different inmates utilize to fight their mental condition. An assessment of the situation will provide better opportunities to develop strategic solutions to the crisis. The data from the different locations will be analyzed to determine common trends. The trends will help the strategic teams to determine the sources of their problems.
The data will be collected using questionnaires. The questionnaires will be designed using the 5-point Likert scale. The scale will be effective to help the inmates to provide solutions depending on their perception of the problem. Questionnaires will be distributed to the inmates and officers working in the various correction facilities. The involvement of the officers and the inmates will provide a comprehensive perception and understanding of the problem. It will be vital to examine the problem using different strategies to improve the quality of the responses.
Resources
The resources effective for the health program include the officers working in the various departments. The officers will provide quality data that will be essential in understanding the problem and the possible solutions. Inmates will be important resources since they will provide quality information that will depict the severity of the mental health problem among inmates.
Questionnaires are important tools in collecting data from the inmates. The questionnaires will be designed using the 5-point Likert scale. The questionnaires will be presented to the inmates who will fill them and return them.
A tool for analyzing the data will be vital in getting appropriate responses. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) latest version will be used in the analysis of data. The analysis of data is vital to enhance the quality of the response.
The officers manning various sections in the correction facilities will be vital in the data collection process. The officers will provide quality information on the response of the inmates regarding their mental health.
Formative Assessment
The program is appropriate in the criminal justice system to help the inmates to express their ideas about the causes of mental health. The program will involve collecting the data from the officers working in the correction facilities (Karim et al., 2019). Another benefit of the program is that it will help the officers and the inmates to indicate the possible solutions to the problems affecting them. The information will be relevant in developing strategies to address the crisis. Regular assessment of the mental health among inmates should be done to evaluate the problem and propose possible solutions.
Summative Assessment
An assessment of the mental health program is vital in understanding the risks and challenges that the inmates face. One of the outcomes of the program is that it will help the officers in the criminal justice system to take a proactive role to fight off the crisis (Drakeford, 2019). The crisis has been escalating for years leading to more cases of mental health and unreported cases. The cases have been thrusting the incidences of violence, suicide, and drug abuse among inmates. The Assessment is a unique study that evaluates the welfare of the inmates. The welfare of the inmates is vital to support the success of the reintegration into society.
Mental problems among the inmates is an issue that the government, civil society, and public have ignored. The neglect has been severe despite the rise in the number of inmates reporting mental health problems. Problems relating to the mental health issues such as violence, stress, depression, and hallucinations have been rampant (Drakeford, 2019). Despite the frequent reporting, the criminal justice system has taken inadequate measures to provide solutions to the problems. The analysis of the problem and development of the possible solutions is critical to the success of the state and federal governments.
Timeline
The timelines for the mental health program will involve a four-month engagement with the inmates. The first incidence is educating the inmates to ensure they develop the boldness to speak about and report the mental health issues. Educating the inmates is vital in eliminating stigma. The process of educating the inmates and officers will take one month.
The second step is to collect data from the inmates and the officers. Collecting data will require the use of questionnaires. The questionnaires will consist of uniform questions that will be easy for the participants to understand. The data collection process will take one month.
The third step is to analyze the data using SPSS software. The data will be cleaned to ensure the data is reliable and accurate. The analysis of the data will take three weeks.
The fourth step is to analyze the data and present a report. The report writing process will take at least two weeks.
Activity Timeline
1. Educating inmates 30 days.
2. Data collection 30 days
3. Data analysis 21 days
4. Presentation of a report 14 days
The table shows that the data should be elaborate to ensure individuals using the data and recommendation can make appropriate strategies.
Public Health Nurse Leadership
Public health nurse leaders are critical in innovating ways to improve the quality of care. One of the roles of public health nurse leadership is to influence others to effectively achieve the goals of safe and successful care to a community. Leadership is required in diverse projects that require innovative approaches (Duffey, 2017). A project on inmates suffering from mental health illness requires the contribution of nurse leaders. The objective is to inspire other nurses to overcome their challenges and achieve quality care. For instance, taking care of inmates with mental illness will require an ethical and legal component of justice. Nurses should provide care to the inmates without discrimination due to their criminal background. A criminal trend should not affect the perception of a nurse and undermine the quality of care. A nurse leader will be required to influence others to deliver effective and safe care.
Nurse leaders should be concerned about the issues affecting different groups of people such as inmates. One of the reasons is that the inmates have a significant contribution to society. Provision of care can transform individuals while denial can rob society of an opportunity to live peacefully. Inmates who leave the correctional facilities in a good mental state are likely to be transformed and contribute to the progress of society. It is unlike people who leave without getting mental treatment since they are likely to abuse drugs, commit a crime, or harm themselves and others. Nurse leaders have a pivotal role to play for the welfare of different minority groups (Duffey, 2017). In the American healthcare system, issues of bias have been rampant with the African-Americans complaining of discrimination in the delivery of care. Nurse leaders should strive to establish fairness and justice in the healthcare system. Addressing the issues affecting inmates is a bold step to eliminate the barriers existing in the healthcare system.
Leadership in the nursing profession is critical in the success of the evidence-based practice. Nurse leaders are the trailblazers who initiate and manage change. The change process involves embracing strategies that will improve the quality of care (Bowles et al., 2018). For instance, the project involves the collection of data among inmates. Male and female inmates can provide a detailed perspective of the challenges inmates with mental illness go through. The data can be used to transform the care and save lives. Nurse leaders will be watchful to identify the critical issues and recommend appropriate action. For example, nurse leaders can recommend appropriate action to improve mental wellness and care among inmates with mental illness. The action can enhance the diagnosis and disclosure of inmates that they are suffering from mental illness (Bowles et al., 2018). Strategic actions can save lives and improve the health and safety of the public.
A culture of inquiry and research is vital in achieving evidence-based practice. Nurse leaders can participate and initiate an inquiry process to achieve positive outcomes. Evidence-based practice occurs due to the successful collection of data. The data is analyzed to identify the trends that are effective for decision-making and the change process. Research helps the nurses to abandon poor delivery of care by opening their eyes to the state of the healthcare services (Bowles et al., 2018). For example, the conversations with the inmates with mental illness will provide a new perspective on the risks of neglect. The perspective will encourage the nurses to gather data in the future to address health issues. The data will improve the accumulation of knowledge about the health condition of the public. It will identify the neglected issues that deserve the attention of the healthcare workers in society.
The inquiry process for data collection and acquisition of knowledge involves collaboration with stakeholders. Nurse leaders should establish a network with stakeholders in the healthcare system (Kelly & Adams, 2018). The delivery of care should comprise an understanding of the strengths of the stakeholders. One of the stakeholders in the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system provides the healthcare system with data about inmates, mental illness, drug abuse, and other contributing factors. Nurse leaders in the mental health care sector should strive to establish a healthy relationship with the stakeholders for the effective collection of information (Kelly & Adams, 2018). Collaboration involves communicating with them regularly and effectively. Communication should establish a mutual relationship that will promote a friendly opportunity for the delivery of care.
The current case study involves nurses who are collecting information to promote change. Nurse leaders have a responsibility to remove the barriers to evidence-based practice. One of the barriers to evidence-based practice is the lack of detailed data. Data collection is a critical component of quality practice (Manges et al., 2017). Collecting data helps the nurses to make quality decisions. It is imperative to know about the challenges affecting the patient population. Understanding the issues affecting male, female, children, adolescents, and minority groups can change the landscape of care delivery. Evidence-based practice involves continuous data collection for behavior change.
Nurse leaders play the role of patient advocates. The case study of collecting data from inmates with mental illness calls for action from the nurse leaders. Inmates can be regarded as people without rights or opportunities to defend themselves. A criminal record may paint a negative picture of the inmates. It is the role of a nurse leader to champion the rights of the inmates such as the delivery of quality, safe, timely, and patient-centered care. A nurse leader can advocate for change by educating health stakeholders and leading by example (Kaack et al., 2018). During the collection of data, nurse leaders should educate the correction officers and other inmates about the plight of the inmates with mental illness. The information will open the eyes of the public to visualize the need for quality and safe care for the inmates. Championing for the rights of inmates with mental illness is critical in achieving the role of a change agent.
Nurse leaders should understand the strengths and weaknesses of the other nurses. It is vital to know how to allocate duties to different people in diverse situations. The information can help the nurse leader to allocate duties effectively. Carrying out a SWOT analysis of the team is critical for the execution of tasks. For instance, the current case study requires a bold person who can face inmates and correction officers. It requires a candid approach to data collection. It is the responsibility of the nurse leader in mental healthcare to know the status of the other nurses (Kaack et al., 2018). The knowledge will help the nurse leader to impact the nurses through the provision of knowledge. Educative activities can improve the knowledge and capacity of the nurses to execute more tasks in the future.
References
Bowles, J. R., Adams, J. M., Batcheller, J., Zimmermann, D., & Pappas, S. (2018). The role of the nurse leader in advancing the Quadruple Aim. Nurse Leader, 16(4), 244-248.
Drakeford, L. (2019). Mental health and the role of religious context among inmates in state and federal prisons: Results from a multilevel analysis. Society and Mental Health, 9(1), 51-73.
Duffey, P. (2017). Implementing the clinical nurse leader role in a large hospital network. Nurse Leader, 15(4), 276-280.
Farrell, A. (2018). A Critical Analysis of Violence as a Symptom of Mental Illness in Orange is the New Black. Verso: An Undergraduate Journal of Literary Criticism, 9.
Galanek, J. D. (2015). Correctional officers and the incarcerated mentally ill: Responses to psychiatric illness in prison. Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 29(1), 116-136.
Holt, G., Hardy, S., & Bouras, N. (Eds.). (2005). Mental Health in Learning Disabilities: A Reader. Pavilion.
Horn, M., Potvin, S., Allaire, J. F., Côté, G., Gobbi, G., Benkirane, K., … & Dumais, A. (2014). Male inmate profiles and their biological correlates. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(8), 441-449.
Kaack, L., Bender, M., Finch, M., Borns, L., Grasham, K., Avolio, A., … & Williams, M. (2018). A Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) practice development model to support integration of the CNL role into microsystem care delivery. Journal of Professional Nursing, 34(1), 65-71.
Karim, F., Mohamad, M., & Muhammad, N. (2019). Mental Health Mediate Social Support to Predict Quality of Life among Drug-Abuse Inmates. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 10(4).
Kelly, L. A., & Adams, J. M. (2018). Nurse leader burnout: how to find your joy. Nurse Leader, 16(1), 24-28.
Manges, K., Scott‐Cawiezell, J., & Ward, M. M. (2017, January). Maximizing team performance: the critical role of the nurse leader. Nursing forum (Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 21-29).
Stringer, H. (2019). Improving mental health for inmates. Monitor on Psychology, 50(3), 46.
