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Prison taking steps to reduce mental health issues

Correctional staff trained, counseling provided

McELHATTAN — Mental health is becoming a common problem in the Clinton County Correctional Facility. But steps are being taken to prevent it from becoming worse.

In 2019, 382 out of 582 county residents housed at the facility were seen by the organization for mental health related counseling, according to Crossroads Counseling Inc. Vice President of Operations Denise Feger. And 76 percent — or 291 — of those individuals received psychiatric services through Crossroads.

Warden Angela Hoover said the facility has been taking steps since her appointment in 2017 to assist with the mental health issues found among inmates and reduce recidivism.

“It’s a full 180 from then,” Hoover said about the steps the prison has taken.

A psychiatrist is on hand two to four hours a week from Crossroads with the option for more time if needed, Hoover said. A counselor is also available to conduct one on one or group sessions, she continued.

Feger said she is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if a correctional officer feels an inmate may need psychiatric care.

Crossroads Counseling was contracted with the prison in September of 2017.

“We wanted somebody local,” Hoover explained. “They understand our population.”

Many inmates upon release often find themselves receiving care from Crossroads, she said.

Feger noted aftercare was where they found the biggest gap for inmates released back into the county.

Aftercare is set up prior to release, which wasn’t as common in the past, Feger said.

“It’s pretty seamless,” she said about the process.

Before release, Crossroads will prepare any medication an inmate may need as well as set up meetings with them to monitor their process, she said.

All of this is in partnership with the county’s probation office, she said.

Hoover said the only time aftercare may be missed is if an inmate is released early.

“It’s almost never an issue,” she said. “They’re usually leaving here with more medicine (7 days) and with medical assistance set up.”

Medical staff also conducts a mental health screening during intake when an inmate is first brought to the prison, and officers are also trained to notice signs of a possible mental health related problem, she said.

“Our staff is aware of the high risk for first time offenders,” the warden said.

Inmates may choose to request counseling, too, she continued.

At a previous Clinton County Prison Board meeting, Hoover noted that the mental health issues found among the inmate population has increased.

“This is nationwide, everyone is dealing with it,” she said.

Although it has become an epidemic within the county as well as the nation, Hoover said identification and assistance has improved.

Feger, who has been involved in mental health counseling since 2008 agrees.

“The culture has fundamentally changed since 2008,” she said. “When you walk in, now you can identify the risk factors of someone incarcerated.”

Before Crossroads was contracted to handle the prison’s mental health care, they would have to petition to get someone experiencing a mental health issue into a hospital. This could take three weeks, Hoover said. With Crossroads often onsite or oncall, the need for hospital visits has been reduced.

Correctional staff are being trained by Crossroads staff to know what to do in a situation where an inmate may be experiencing a psychological episode, too. In 2020 all COs will be trained to understand mental health behavior and how best to handle the situation, Hoover said.

The prison offers its inmates three forms of mental health counseling — mental, behavioral and psychological. These programs can last between five to seven months and can include either one-on-one sessions with a couselor or a group session with other inmates, she said.

Hoover and Feger believe the programs offered have drastically helped reduce inmate recidivism.

“Stays here are less frequent,” Feger said. “More are apt to prefer treatment.”

The county recently formed its first Behavioral Health Treatment court which will give inmates the option to apply for the program and remain unincarcerated.

Feger explained that Mental Health and Intellectual Disablities (MHID) in the county will determine if an arrestee is eligible for the program. The person must willingly request to be part of the program.

“They encourage them to talk to their attorney,” Feger said.

In 2018 the facility averaged a 35 percent inmate recidivism rate. The number dropped to 18 percent in 2019, Hoover said.

“By setting them up for success we keep them from returning,” she said. “I feel that it’s success and giving them the opportunity to be successful.”

Although the prison may never reach a zero percent recidivism rate, Hoover said the work they’re doing has an impact on the prison and county’s community.

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