Medication management skills for mentally ill inmates: Training is not enough.

Skills Training

May 2021

Full Citation

MacKain, S. J. & Baucom, T. (2008). Medication management skills for mentally ill inmates: Training is not enough. The Journal of Behavior Analysis of Offender and Victim Treatment and Prevention, 1(1), 118-130. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0100438

Abstract

Despite the fact that the population of incarcerated offenders with severe, persistent mental illness (SPMI) has exploded in recent years, few correctional facilities provide empirically supported behavioral training in illness or medication management. This study examines symptoms and global functioning for 33 male SPMI inmates before receiving intensive training in medication self-management skills, and approximately 10 months after transfer to other prisons. Medication self-management knowledge and skill acquisition were assessed at 3 points: pre- and post-training, and after transfer. We found that inmate symptoms and global functioning post-transfer appeared to be fairly mild and stable. Personalized knowledge of medications was maintained after transfer, but skills related to medication self-management declined. Future programming throughout the criminal justice continuum should maximize opportunities for continued skill rehearsal and reinforcement to promote illness-management skill maintenance and generalization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)