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Prisoners to start undergoing mental health checks

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Mon, 07 Nov 2011 7:43a.m.

New prisoners will be asked a series of questions during their routine health screening

New prisoners will be asked a series of questions during their routine health screening

The Corrections Department will began quizzing new prisoners next year to assess their mental health.

New inmates will be screened for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety from June next year.

Only acute mental illnesses are currently screened for and the department expects the number of inmates diagnosed with mental illness will more than double as a result, Radio New Zealand reports.

New prisoners will be asked a series of questions during their routine health screening, says Corrections national health manager Bronwyn Donaldson.

NZN

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Comments

09 Nov 2011 04:23p.m.

Mat wrote:

Well hopefully this will lead to diagnosing of mental issues, and treatment of these issues, and less re-offending. If we can gain a better understanding of mental conditions that lead to offenses, maybe we can intervene earlier and prevent people becoming criminals.

07 Nov 2011 02:25p.m.

jan wrote:

this is merely window dressing to protect the corrections department and the private owners. Aren't all prisoners mental in different ways if they are in prison, as no sane person would commit a crime? Seriously though usually drug users will probably have a mental health issue as that's what drugs do to many people.the tests will be used against the prisoners so I would hope any new prisoners will tell the prison to push off. And people who are anti prisoners, what do you think those job tests are when you apply for a job?. They are telling employers of your personality and your intelligence, so if you don't get the job it means you are lacking, so don't judge the prisoners, as you are one step away from the funny farm yourself.

07 Nov 2011 09:52a.m.

Phred wrote:

Geeezzz, here we go again! And any that act crazy enough will be put back on the street again!