Why correctly diagnosing mental illness of prisoners matters?

What is it about?

Accurate diagnosis represents the entry-point to mental health treatment. While mental illness is more prevalence in jails and prisons, it may be difficult to assess. For example, distinguishing true illness from temporary symptoms that are a normal reaction to stressors that will go away without treatment is challenging. This paper examines what we know about the topic, and estimates that at least 10-15% of inmates may be incorrectly diagnosed or have their illness missed.

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Why is it important?

This paper is a call for further consideration of this often overlooked question. It raises important questions that should be considered by clinicians and policy makers about how we diagnosis mental illness in jails and prisons, and the responses we take following a diagnosis.