Are mental health assessments a mandatory procedure in all offender admissions?
A comprehensive health-care assessment is completed upon inmate admission by MCSCS nursing staff. The individual’s mental status and mental health history is explored during this assessment. Additionally, there are mandatory suicide screening procedures in place for all newly admitted persons. Q: Are these assessments adequate? A: In most cases, the assessment completed during intake is adequate. However, if the nurse completing the initial health-care assessment is alerted to the need for further assessment, appropriate referral is made to the physician, psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health nurse. Q: Do all Ontario correctional facilities have a mental health team? A: All facilities are staffed with registered nurses and contract the services of a physician. Institutions also have access to specialist mental health professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists. As well, some facilities have a special needs unit designated for the placement of offenders with mental he
