Free Nursing Dissertations - Critical Analysis Of The Evidence Base Regarding Service, Delivery And
Critical Analysis of the evidence base regarding service, delivery and treatment of Prisoners in crisis with Mental Health Problems (in British Prisons)
Introduction:
The essay is based on research findings and evidential studies on the treatment of prisoners in crisis with mental health problems. In this analysis we discuss the reasons for which these individuals are in prison and the policies proposed by the NHS for the care and support of the mentally ill in custody. The issues in consideration are associated with mental health and physical health of these prisoners. We discuss several issues related to the quality of healthcare, the facilities in the prison environment, the role of mental health nursing and the concept of compassionate care of prisoners who also suffer from mental illness. We also discuss the challenges faced in nursing of prisoners with mental illness, the various forms of mental illness that can affect the prisoners and the recommend ways of improving care so as to reduce suicide, self harm, depression and other forms of mental problems.
Our analysis will be divided into three parts. In the first part, we discuss the evidence and statistical reports on mental illness within British prisons. To understand how widespread and grave the situation is, we would put forward all evidence from recent statistical reports on the prevalence of mental illness among prisoners. We also discuss the possible reasons for mental illness and the higher percentage of such cases within the prison environment considering the different types of mental illness that are common among prisoners. In the second part we would put forward the more social issues of care, the policies promoted by the Department of Health and the modus operandi followed by the NHS in implementing care strategies. The managerial and clinical aspects of care management along with the challenges faced by nurses in these situations will be discussed. The third and more extensive part of our discussion will be based on a qualitative analysis along with a discussion on research and evidential studies on service, delivery and treatment of prisoners who are in crises with mental health problems. We would conclude our arguments highlighting the problems and issues of mental health nursing within the prison situation and recommend clinical practice measures for improvements in the quality of service.
Mental Illness in British Prisons:
Considering published reports, since 1996, nearly 550 prisoners in England and Wales have committed suicide. In 2002 there were 94 self-inflicted deaths. In addition, there are many instances of prisoners who hang or strangle themselves in failed suicide attempts.
