MENTAL HEALTH CORRECTIONS PROGRAM

Mental Health Services provided at the Will County Adult Detention Facility are in conjunction with the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) standards and guidelines for Mental Health Services.

Clinical Staff is responsible for conducting mental health screenings for all individuals detained at the Will County Adult Detention Facility (WCADF) within 14 days of entry. The purpose of the 14 day screenings is to gather information to assist in diagnosis and referrals for appropriate services.

Clinical Staff functions as part of the Will County Adult Detention Facility’s PREA team. The 14 day screenings include questions intended to assess an inmate’s potential risk for sexually aggressive (PREA A) behavior or vulnerability (PREA V), as defined by PREA standards. Upon identifying an inmate as PREA A OR PREA V, clinical staff immediately notifies the on-duty security staff, allowing security staff to update the inmate’s classification on their identification card. Following security staff notification, all necessary documentation is sent to the classification unit for review. Clinical staff also provides mental health follow-up services to any identified PREA victims, and participates in incident review debriefing meetings to inform future policy and procedure.

Clinical staff are provided with referrals from collaborating security and nursing staff for inmates who have been placed on suicide watch or close observation protocols for further assessment. Assessments determine if an inmate should remain on these precautionary measures or can be safely downgraded to a less intensive level of care. Clinicians may also assess for risk of self-harm in inmates housed in general population when an inmate’s behavior or presentation raises concerns.

Inmates have the ability to request mental health services in a variety of ways, including submission of sick call forms, 22A Request Forms, and via nursing or security staff. Clinicians respond to these referrals, typically within 2 to 7 days, by speaking directly with the inmate and providing appropriate treatment or referrals to resources within the facility to address their concerns. Security staff may also request immediate mental health services for an inmate if he or she observes unusual or concerning behavior.

Licensed clinical staff are available for 24-hour emergency response; which includes responding to inmates and or staff who are currently experiencing, or have recently experienced, a mental health crisis. Staff may provide assistance over the phone, in order determine appropriate levels of intervention. Staff may also provide face-to face mental health evaluations to determine specific needs, interventions and or crisis management for any individual in crisis.

Upon request, clinicians provide individual and group counseling. Because privacy is always an issue in a detention setting, every effort to ensure confidentiality is taken when conducting counseling.

Clinicians provide assessment and diagnoses for Problem-Solving Court (e.g. mental health, drug and veteran’s court) applicants. Upon completion of the assessment process, results are presented in a formal written report to the Problem-Solving Court team, which includes State’s Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, and the Honorable Presiding Judge. The results of the assessment are then discussed at the weekly “staffing” for further determination. The team determines if the applicant is eligible for a contract. During the 14-day screening process, clinicians may also identify inmates who qualify and could potentially benefit from Problem Solving Court Programs. At the time the inmate may be provided information regarding the specific programs offered.

Linkage to the Will County Health Department Division of Behavioral Health is offered to inmates as an opportunity to extend mental health services beyond detainment. Prior to release, inmates are provided with information on how to continue mental health services. In addition to mental health services, linkage to other community resources, such as inpatient substance abuse treatment, may be provided to those seeking discharge planning services. Inmates who have not had the opportunity to obtain mental health services while detained may receive information on available resources upon release.