This research was a pilot study at improving the medical, psychiatric and addiction care provided to women detainees at the jail. Few studies have been completed with women atjail intake, yet the population is suspected of having a multitude of medical, psychiatric and addiction in jail treatment and community reentry needs. Utilizing a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design, the following aims were completed for this pilot study: documented the creation of a nursing research infrastructure within a large jail; compared the results of the traditional 16- item paper and pencil Intake Service Center Screen with the 8-item paperless Brief Jail Mental Health Screen obtained via Audio Computer Assisted Self Interviewing (ACASI) technology; compared Addiction Severity Index scores and addiction treatment motivation and readiness scores obtained via ACASI technology with normative data; assessed the frequency of HIV risk behaviors and the medical, psychiatric and addiction treatment needs obtained via ACASI technology; while assessing the frequency and the average length of time for screening by providers at the jail via medical chart review.
The results showed that the ACASI technology proved to be more effective than paper and pencil methods. This technology not only assessed detainee treatment needs, but simultaneously created reentry/discharge plans. The study demonstrated that HIV risk behaviors and the prevalence of past suicide attempts were high among the participants. The Addiction Severity Index scores and the Circumstance Motivation and Readiness scores demonstrated that methamphetamine addiction, and mental health severity is high among this population however motivation and readiness for treatment arc low. Therefore, recommendations for the most suitable jail psychiatric Advanced Practice
Registered Nurse candidates could be given as a result of the study. This study was the first phase at improving the medical, psychiatric and addiction care provided to detainees at the jail. In future phases of this study more valid and reliable assessment tools and treatment planning aimed at reduced recidivism rates will be established. Future phases will build on the lessons learned here about working with security staff, collaborating with experienced researchers in the community, and seeking advice from the Department of Justice recognized experts.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UHAWAII/oai:scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu:10125/22062 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Palazzo, Michael |
| Contributors | Amundson, M.J. |
| Publisher | University of Hawaii at Manoa |
| Source Sets | University of Hawaii at Manoa Libraries |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation, Text |
| Rights | All UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner. |
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