Caring for patients on probation or parole
Promoting stability in the community can reduce recidivism and re-incarceration.
Upon release, he demonstrates the recurrence of some mild persecutory fears and hallucinations, but you resume him on his prior treatment regimen, and he recovers.
You encourage the parole officer to notify you if Mr. A violates parole and is incarcerated so that you can speak with clinicians in the jail to ensure that Mr. A remains adequately treated while incarcerated.
In the coming years, you continue to work with Mr. A and his parole officer to manage his mental health condition and to navigate his parole requirements in order to reduce his risk of relapse and recidivism. After Mr. A completes his time on parole, you continue to see him for outpatient follow-up.
Bottom Line
Clinicians may provide psychiatric care to probationers and parolees in traditional outpatient settings or in collaboration with a mental health court (MHC) or forensic assertive community treatment team. It is crucial to be aware of the legal expectations of individuals on community supervision, as well as the unique mental health risks and challenges they face. You can help reduce probationers’ and parolees’ risk of relapse and recidivism and support their recovery in the community by engaging in collaborative treatment planning involving the patient, the court, and/or MHCs.
Related Resources
- Lamb HR. Weinberger LE. Understanding and treating offenders with serious mental illness in public sector mental health. Behav Sci Law. 2017;35(4):303-318.
- Worcester S. Mental illness and the criminal justice system: Reducing the risks. Clinical Psychiatry News. https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/173208/schizophrenia-other-psychotic-disorders/mental-illness-and-criminal. Published August 22, 2018.
