title: Mental health services in the county jail: a critical partnership?
abstract: This study was designed to provide a description of individuals incarcerated in a county jail and referred for mental health services. A standardized intake form was completed for 598 inmates who had contact with the mental health counselor. Analysis of the mental health status of inmates suggests that the presence of a counselor in the jail may serve an important function. Specifically, inmates referred to the counselor were not in acute distress. This suggests they may be better served by an on-site counselor rather than through the traditional method of being transported to the hospital emergency room or community mental health center for evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Lexington County Community Mental Health Center, West Columbia, SC 29169, USA. LHM85@3TLEX.DMH.STATE.SC.US
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Muzekari
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lonigan
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Hatton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rowe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003284:Contract Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology