Experts Highlight Needs of Prisoners With Mental Illness

The mentally ill in the prison system are in dire need of resources and improved standards of diagnosis. That's according to researchers at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Rodrigo Munoz, a private practice psychiatrist in San Diego, said prisoners with mental illness are often given only one diagnosis, even when they present with several accessory illnesses. Dr. Marcia Goin, a private practice psychiatrist in Los Angeles and past president of the American Psychiatric Association, added that mentally ill inmates also need additional protection from manipulation by other inmates. Dr. Goin and Dr. Munoz urged their colleagues and the APA to push for improved standards of diagnosis, protection, and more resources for the mentally ill in prisons.

The mentally ill in the prison system are in dire need of resources and improved standards of diagnosis. That's according to researchers at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Rodrigo Munoz, a private practice psychiatrist in San Diego, said prisoners with mental illness are often given only one diagnosis, even when they present with several accessory illnesses. Dr. Marcia Goin, a private practice psychiatrist in Los Angeles and past president of the American Psychiatric Association, added that mentally ill inmates also need additional protection from manipulation by other inmates. Dr. Goin and Dr. Munoz urged their colleagues and the APA to push for improved standards of diagnosis, protection, and more resources for the mentally ill in prisons.

The mentally ill in the prison system are in dire need of resources and improved standards of diagnosis. That's according to researchers at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Rodrigo Munoz, a private practice psychiatrist in San Diego, said prisoners with mental illness are often given only one diagnosis, even when they present with several accessory illnesses. Dr. Marcia Goin, a private practice psychiatrist in Los Angeles and past president of the American Psychiatric Association, added that mentally ill inmates also need additional protection from manipulation by other inmates. Dr. Goin and Dr. Munoz urged their colleagues and the APA to push for improved standards of diagnosis, protection, and more resources for the mentally ill in prisons.