A mental health survey of community correctional clients in Canada

Probation and parole officers completed a brief survey questionnaire on 2500 community correctional clients, who were randomly selected from a total caseload of 60 000 active files. The survey instrument inquired about the mental health histories and the clinical or programme needs of these clients, most of whom (76.5%) were on probation. Among the sample, 13.2% had a known psychiatric diagnosis, including 5.0% who had been diagnosed with a schizophrenic illness, bipolar disorder or mental retardation. A total of 6.4% had at least one documented psychiatric hospitalisation. Subjects with a history of hospitalisation had an average of 4.6 psychiatric admissions and an average total of 73.2 days' stay in mental health facilities. A total of 9.0% had a rating on the Global Assessment of Functioning scale that indicated serious mental health symptoms or serious social impairment, whilst 2.0% were rated as being suicidal, grossly impaired or delusional. Collectively, 18.9% met at least one of the three criteria, whilst 8.3% of the subjects met two or more of the criteria. Disordered clients were more likely than their non‐disordered counterparts to have inadequate accommodation, to live alone, and to be in an institution or on social assistance and less likely to be employed or in school. According to staff ratings, the commonest need areas for the disordered offenders were general counselling, alcohol/drug programmes, psychological services, life/social skills training, psychiatric assessment and employment. Needs were most likely to be met for medical problems and least likely for non‐clinical, social services. Refusal, lack of motivation, dropping out from a service and unsuccessful previous participation accounted for approximately one‐half of the unserviced needs. The importance of integrating services between health, corrections and social service agencies for disordered offenders is highlighted.