Deck 13: Ethical Issues for Treatment Staff in Forensic Settings

Question 1

Behavioral health professionals should not participate in assessing the responsibility of inmates for violations of correctional regulations.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The forensic mental health examiner should not proceed with an evaluation until the inmate has access to an attorney if requested.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Which of the following is true regarding treatment evaluations in correctional facilities?

A)Treatment evaluations are conducted in the same manner as in the community.
B)There is a heightened sensitivity to the risk of suicide in the facility.
C)Malingering is often problematic among inmates.
D)All of the above

Answer 3

D

Question 4

It is permissible to treat a death row inmate who accepts treatment voluntarily.

Question 5

Criminal responsibility is synonymous with competency to stand trial.

Question 6

__________ refers to feigning illness,often for medication,attention,or as the result of a personal crisis.

A)Outcry
B)Malingering
C)False report
D)False confession

Question 7

Which of the following is not a type of inmate evaluation discussed in this chapter?

A)Competency to stand trial
B)Treatment
C)Substance abuse
D)Dangerousness

Question 8

Federal and state correctional systems have access to __________ units where inmates requiring an inpatient level of behavioral health care will be sent.

A)Forensic units
B)Psychiatric units
C)Hospital units
D)Behavioral units

Question 9

Define the term dual agency.Explain the ethical issues associated with dual agency in a correctional facility.
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Question 10

Which of the following employment circumstances is true regarding mental health practitioners in correctional settings?

A)They work as employees of the correctional agency.
B)They are employed by a company contracted to the correctional agency.
C)They are private practitioners.
D)All of the above

Question 11

Which of the following was not discussed in this chapter as an ethical issue pertaining to behavioral health providers in a correctional setting?

A)Sexual relationships
B)Overcrowding
C)Death penalty
D)Release to the community

Question 12

In forensic units,two types of evaluations occur: an evaluation for the legal system and an evaluation for the purpose of providing treatment.

Question 13

List four types of inmate evaluations.Explain one in detail.
i.Treatment evaluations
Treatment evaluations are conducted in the same manner as in the community,with a heightened sensitivity to issues related to contraband,risk of suicide,predation,etc.
Some correctional settings are well designed for these treatments,but most are not;providers often speak with inmates through cell doors,etc.
Malingering mental illness is problematic,referring to feigning illness,often for medication,attention,or as the result of a personal crisis.
ii.Competency to stand trial
Competency to stand trial evaluations address inmates' current mental state and whether they are able to understand their charges and assist their attorney in their defense.
These evaluations are conducted in the community and in a correctional setting.
iii.Criminal responsibility
Criminal responsibility evaluations deal with the mental state of an offender at the time of a crime.
This evaluation should not be done by a treating behavioral health provider.
iv.Dangerousness
Once found not responsible due to mental disease or defect,acquittees will undergo an evaluation to determine if they need to be transferred to a forensic unit,a civil psychiatric unit in the community,or outpatient treatment.
These evaluations are characteristically done by psychiatrists employed by a state or the federal government and who work in a forensic unit.

Question 14

As part of their role,behavioral health staff also perform non-medical functions in a correctional facility,such as conducting physical searches.

Question 15

The same health care provider should not be expected to both treat an inmate and perform a forensic evaluation for the court.

Question 16

Inmate clients have to consent for protected health information to be shared.

Question 17

Solitary confinement is generally more beneficial for those inmates suffering from major mental health episodes.

Question 18

Which of the following is true regarding criminal responsibility evaluations?

A)They were formerly referred to as insanity pleas.
B)The evaluation should not be done by a treating behavioral health provider.
C)They deal with the mental state of an offender at the time of a crime.
D)All of the above

Question 19

Explain the difference between criminal responsibility evaluations and competency to stand trial evaluations.
• Competency to stand trial evaluations address inmates' current mental state and whether they are able to understand their charges and assist their attorney in their defense.
• Criminal responsibility evaluations deal with the mental state of offenders at the time of a crime.