Support MH/SUD training for criminal legal system employees
Recommendation
Congress should provide federal incentives for the education and training of criminal legal system employees on mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) signs, which should include the practice of occasional screenings on MH/SUD and suicide risk.[1][2][3]
Background/summary
The number of incarcerated individuals with a mental health or substance use disorder (MH/SUD) continues to increase and conditions in correctional facilities can exacerbate these issues.[4] Many criminal legal system employees lack the necessary training to support an incarcerated individual with MH/SUD.[5] Similar to the recruitment incentives currently available through the Bureau of Prisons, there should be a federal incentive for criminal legal system employees to obtain training on MH/SUD issues and screening techniques.[1][2][3][6] With the knowledge, skills, and understanding to successfully identify and screen for MH/SUD,[5] employees can identify individuals in crisis and provide more appropriate interventions.[7]
citations
1. CEO Alliance for Mental Health. “A United Vision for Transforming Mental Health and Substance Use Care.” Last Updated August 2022.
2. The Kennedy Forum. “Recommendations of Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy to the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis.” Last Updated October 2017.
3. Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2023. H.R.3501 (Kaptur), 118th Congress (2023-2024). Last Accessed July 25, 2023.
4. Mental Health America. Position Statement 56: Mental Health Treatment in Correctional Facilities. Last Updated March 7, 2015.
5. Darani, Shaheen, Sandy Simpson, Robert McMaster, Elena Wolff, Sarah Bonato, Graham Glancy, Jason Quinn. 2021. “Mental Health Training for Correctional Officers: A Systematic Review.” BJPsych Open 7(1). Last Updated June 18, 2021.
6. U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. “Recruitment Incentives Updated and Extended.” Last Updated July 18, 2022.
7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Screening and Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System.” Last Updated June 2019.