-64 The conceptually ideal setting for reconstructing the inmate social system is the small institution where educational and treatment concepts dominate. Estimates that such settings may reduce recidivism from the traditional 50% to about 10% need to be verified. Publication Stuart Adams, Staff Perceptions of Inmate Characteristics: Implications for Correctional Progress, pp. 20, June 1970 28) INMATES WITH PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS: A SURVEY OF STAFF PERCEPTIONS OF INCIDENCE AND SYMPTOMS Purpose and Method To ascertain the identity and characteristics of "disturbed" inmates at the Youth Center and Correctional Complex, questionnaires were distributed to selected groups of staff at these two institutions. Staff was asked to name inmates believed to be in need of psychiatric treatment and to describe the behaviors or symptoms that led to the nomination. Findings Correctional Complex staff identified 46 disturbed inmates (3.6% of the institutional population). Youth Center staff identified 48% disturbed inmates (12.7% of the institutional population). These two measures of incidence were quite close to the 4.4% and 12.8%, respectively, derived in the Dellinger study of 1968, which was based on a case-folder analysis. Symptoms of the disturbed cases at the Correctional Complex fell most frequently into the categories of Anti-social behavior, Aggressiveness, and Disturbed Thought Patterns. |