In my last letter to the editor, I commented on the need for an inclusive case management approach to one's physical health while in prison. An inclusive case management approach should apply to all aspects of prison life, not just physical health. Case management involves whole of operation thinking.
For mental health this is as relevant. Prison can be very difficult to manage as the lifestyle is completely different to life on the outside. On the outside, there are professional supports one can access quite quickly; family and friends to lean on and opportunities to self-manage life's daily pressures like a daily walk with the dog, a swim or a recreational activity or hobby such as gardening.
Prison doesn't easily allow outside support to provide the love and care many inmates require, let alone access professional support. Private health is not an option here, despite it being listed on this prison's documentation as being accessible. Not using private health is an unnecessarily expensive decision.
Developing an effective working strategy ensuring professionals access all inmates who request support in a timely manner is fundamental to success. A week should be the maximum time limit for this. An inmate being told not to contact therapeutics when they ask for support is not an appropriate strategy. Not replying to a moodle from an inmate only exacerbates the mental health concerns of the inmate requesting help. This can breed anxiety and conspiracy thinking. A successful business plan caters for those times when staffing is short, whether due to retirements or leave or simply periods of higher demand.
A simple Key Performance Index (KPI) can be developed around this, to ensure the process supports inmate rehabilitation.
Another key factor relating to mental health especially is communication. Inmates send moodles to support staff. In many cases replies take longer than a week, if at all. This builds frustration, distrust and impacts mental health. Surely an “out of office” reply can assist with this. Having a back-up person to redirect moodles to would be another useful strategy. More KPIs here!
A key factor in living a successful life is being connected to other humans. Preferably those who nourish your soul, preferably those who build you up, especially those you love and care about, and who love and care for you. These connections end abruptly when one is sent to prison. A ten-minute phone call, or a zoom visit, cannot replace the value of sitting next to someone, feeling them lean on you and being able to communicate in a comfortable space. Connection is vital to our lives as humans. Another pressure placed on mental health by being in prison.
If the State is serious about trying to support each inmate's journey through prison, ensure an effective reform process then a more clinical, case managed, and strategic approach is definitely needed. This will save money in the mid to long term and reduce recidivism.
In my last letter to the editor, I commented on the need for an inclusive case management approach to one's physical health while in prison. An inclusive case management approach should apply to all aspects of prison life, not just physical health. Case management involves whole of operation thinking.
For mental health this is as relevant. Prison can be very difficult to manage as the lifestyle is completely different to life on the outside. On the outside, there are professional supports one can access quite quickly; family and friends to lean on and opportunities to self-manage life's daily pressures like a daily walk with the dog, a swim or a recreational activity or hobby such as gardening.
Prison doesn't easily allow outside support to provide the love and care many inmates require, let alone access professional support. Private health is not an option here, despite it being listed on this prison's documentation as being accessible. Not using private health is an unnecessarily expensive decision.
Developing an effective working strategy ensuring professionals access all inmates who request support in a timely manner is fundamental to success. A week should be the maximum time limit for this. An inmate being told not to contact therapeutics when they ask for support is not an appropriate strategy. Not replying to a moodle from an inmate only exacerbates the mental health concerns of the inmate requesting help. This can breed anxiety and conspiracy thinking. A successful business plan caters for those times when staffing is short, whether due to retirements or leave or simply periods of higher demand.
A simple Key Performance Index (KPI) can be developed around this, to ensure the process supports inmate rehabilitation.
Another key factor relating to mental health especially is communication. Inmates send moodles to support staff. In many cases replies take longer than a week, if at all. This builds frustration, distrust and impacts mental health. Surely an “out of office” reply can assist with this. Having a back-up person to redirect moodles to would be another useful strategy. More KPIs here!
A key factor in living a successful life is being connected to other humans. Preferably those who nourish your soul, preferably those who build you up, especially those you love and care about, and who love and care for you. These connections end abruptly when one is sent to prison. A ten-minute phone call, or a zoom visit, cannot replace the value of sitting next to someone, feeling them lean on you and being able to communicate in a comfortable space. Connection is vital to our lives as humans. Another pressure placed on mental health by being in prison.
If the State is serious about trying to support each inmate's journey through prison, ensure an effective reform process then a more clinical, case managed, and strategic approach is definitely needed. This will save money in the mid to long term and reduce recidivism.
