Does the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services have a mental health strategy?
Correctional services is committed to the fair and compassionate treatment of all those in our custody, including those with signs or a diagnosis of mental illness. The ministry works closely with its community partners and community mental health resources to provide care during incarceration and to provide a safe transition to the community. Q: Are mental health assessments a mandatory procedure in all offender admissions? A: 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, psycho
