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GOVERNOR SPITZER SIGNS LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF PRISONERS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS
Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced the signing of legislation that will enhance the care and treatment of prisoners with serious mental illness by limiting the instances in which these inmates can be placed in segregated confinement.
The legislation formalizes the administration’s commitment to removing prisoners with serious mental illness from what are commonly known as “special housing units” – where inmates who have committed disciplinary infractions are segregated from the rest of the prison population. The legislation would also implement a more sensitive approach to the treatment of prisoners with psychiatric disorders while meeting prison safety and security standards.
Those inmates with serious mental illness who are not removed from segregated confinement will be offered a heightened level of care, including additional out-of-cell treatment and programming. Mental health clinicians will also conduct periodic mental health assessments of all inmates who remain in segregated confinement.
“This is historic legislation that demonstrates New York’s commitment to providing mental health treatment for inmates with serious psychiatric disorders,” said Governor Spitzer. “The legislation also recognizes the need to provide a safe and secure prison environment where inmates and staff will be protected from harm. It strikes an appropriate balance between safety and security concerns and the needs of inmates with serious mental illness."
Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson said: “This groundbreaking legislation demonstrates New York’s leadership in ensuring that the mental health needs of prisoners are addressed. It will ensure that all inmates, including those with serious mental illness, receive appropriate treatment while in prison - enhancing their ability to make a successful transition into communities once they’re released.”
Senator Michael F. Nozzolio, Chairman of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee, said: “This historic agreement is the result of years of hard work. I commend Governor Spitzer for his efforts in ensuring this legislation would be signed into New York State law. The New York State Senate has led the fight to enhance support for our correction officers and staff and I am extremely pleased that our prisons will now be more humane and safer for both inmates and the brave men and women who work there. The Senate remains committed to ensuring that New York State continues to promote and advance initiatives that make our State prison system the best in the country.”
Assemblymember Jeffrion L. Aubry, Chairman of the Assembly Corrections Committee, said: “This legislation improves the way the state of New York treats inmates who are afflicted with serious mental illnesses. It advances treatment over punishment and better prepares correction officers who interact with such inmates, thereby enhancing safety of not only inmates and staff but of the public as well."
Inmates with serious mental illness who are diverted or removed from segregated confinement will be housed in residential mental health treatment units that are jointly operated by the Department of Correctional Services and the Office of Mental Health. In these units, inmates will receive out-of-cell therapeutic programming and mental health treatment. A formal review process involving the input of mental health clinicians will decrease the likelihood that inmates will cycle back into segregated confinement. A number of these new mental health treatment beds already exist and many more are in development.
The new legislation authorizes the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities to monitor the quality of mental health care provided to inmates and make recommendations about necessary improvements. The legislation Governor Spitzer announced today builds on the State's ongoing efforts to enhance treatment and programming for mentally ill inmates.