| Services provided |
Aims to provide services to people affected by mental health problems who are incarcerated in an Australian prison. Core functions of the Prison Mental Health Service (PMHS) team include:
○Reception screening for the presence of mental illness; ○Early identification of mental illness in prisoners; ○High quality mental health assessment, treatment and care; and ○Transfer of consumers to hospital if necessary.
Prison Mental Health Services provide support to prison officers in the management of individuals with mental illness.
Prison Mental Health Services are also involved in the identification, assessment, management and review of self-harm concerns and suicide prevention within the prison.
PMHS facilitate access to mental health services on release from custody and prepare individuals with complex mental health needs to integrate back into community. Prisoners with mental health issues may require assistance to access finances, accommodation, support networks and access to services. PMHS promote reintegration.
Prison Mental Health Services run periodic clinics in rural prisons. Telepsychiatry consultations are also provided to rural prisons as required.
Prison Mental Health Services may be responsible for the delivery of clinical services to mental health units in prisons where applicable.
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| Key features |
PMHS are delivered by multidisciplinary teams which provide in-reach service to people affected by mental health problems and facilitate access to mental health care in prison, in dedicated prison mental health units and in general prison environments. PMHS will generally be an element of a Forensic Mental Health Service, with the capacity to provide continuity of care from community or mainstream mental health services, usually via the criminal justice system, to prison or a secure hospital setting, and return to the care of community or mainstream mental health services.
Prison Mental Health Services act as a point of contact for prison staff who are not trained in mental health. They provide training to equip prison staff with basic mental health responses and how to manage associated behaviours.
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| Hours of operation |
Extended hours, on-call service available |
| Population profile |
Adults with severe and/or persistent mental illness or situational distress that has a significant impact on their functioning. Primary diagnoses often include psychotic disorders or severe affective disorders with high levels of comorbidity particularly substance use disorders, severe personality disorders or cognitive impairment. Prisoners with mild and moderate mental illness are considered to be the responsibility of primary care.
Note: PMHS can be accessed by any person detained in a prison or detention centre. However, the predominant population is male and aged between 18 and 64. Indigenous Australians are over-represented and make up approximately 30% of Australian prisoners. Women are underrepresented, making up less than 9% of Australian prisoners, however the prevalence of mental disorder in female prisoners, particularly moderate and severe disorders, is approximately 1.5 higher than in male prisoners. |
| Example service |
N/A |
