PubMed · 5205660
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Y M Wilhelm. 1971. A look at psychiatric commitment.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6163.1971.tb01072.x
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Psychiatrists working in prisons are frequently presented with inmate requests for special privileges and living arrangements. Although recommendations to reduce stress are often indicated for seriously mentally ill prisoners, the injudicious use of special privileges can interfere with treatment and with the functioning and security of the prison environment. Guidelines are suggested for evaluating privilege requests that include exploring alternatives to granting requests; reserving privileges primarily for individuals with serious mental disorders; relying upon objective findings; and utilizing a multidisciplinary decision-making process.
The law is a public affair. The involvement of psychiatrists and psychiatry in legal and judicial proceedings themselves, not to mention the ever-increasing media commentary, is an opportunity to educate the public, but it also entails the very real risk of compounding public misinformation and misgivings about our field. The American Psychiatric Association has both a professional staff Division of Public Affairs and a membership component, the Joint Commission on Public Affairs. Staff and members field queries from the public and the media, plan educational campaigns in collaboration with advocacy organizations, prepare and distribute fact sheets, media kits, and issue kits for members, brochures for the lay reader, booklets for important audiences including clergy, educators, and legislators, and many other resources. Given their critical influence on the lay-person's image and understanding of psychiatry, the participation of forensic psychiatrists in the public affairs activities of our major professional organization is not only welcome, but vital.