Mental illness among women referred for psychiatric services in a New Zealand women's prison Stephanie Collier and Susan Hatters Friedman
Material type:
ArticleSeries: Behavioral Sciences & the LawPublication details: Wiley, 2016Subject(s): Online resources:
In: Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 2016, Advance online publication, 7 April 2016Summary: This naturalistic exploratory study describes the characteristics of women prisoners referred to the forensic psychiatry service of the largest women’s prison in New Zealand. Forensic psychiatrists diagnosed more than one-third of the referred female inmates with psychotic disorders, and they diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder in one-fifth. The majority of the women reported substance use prior to incarceration, as well
as a history of personal victimization by family violence. Of the women prisoners referred to community mental health services at release, two-thirds attended the arranged outpatient mental health follow-up appointment. This study highlights the
need for secondary prevention and rehabilitation for female inmates, and it provides suggestions for intervention. (Authors' abstract). Record #5421
Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 2016, Advance online publication, 7 April 2016
This naturalistic exploratory study describes the characteristics of women prisoners referred to the forensic psychiatry service of the largest women’s prison in New Zealand. Forensic psychiatrists diagnosed more than one-third of the referred female inmates with psychotic disorders, and they diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder in one-fifth. The majority of the women reported substance use prior to incarceration, as well
as a history of personal victimization by family violence. Of the women prisoners referred to community mental health services at release, two-thirds attended the arranged outpatient mental health follow-up appointment. This study highlights the
need for secondary prevention and rehabilitation for female inmates, and it provides suggestions for intervention. (Authors' abstract). Record #5421