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Reform from the inside: Mental health center evaluations of competency to stand trial
Author(s) -
Laben Joyce K.,
Kashgarian Mark,
Nessa Donald B.,
Spencer Lona Davis
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(197701)5:1<52::aid-jcop2290050109>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - mental health , metropolitan area , unit (ring theory) , multidisciplinary approach , service (business) , population , psychology , professional development , center (category theory) , state (computer science) , nursing , medical education , business , medicine , political science , psychiatry , environmental health , marketing , law , chemistry , mathematics education , pathology , algorithm , computer science , crystallography
The implementation of local multidisciplinary evaluation teams in Tennessee began with a pilot project in the largest metropolitan area. Changes in the state law and training of professionals in local mental health centers were made to enhance the establishment of a state‐wide system of local mental health services to criminal and circuit courts. The result was deemphasis of maximum security hospitalization in a single isolated unit in favor of mental health center services. Data from the pilot period showed achievement of objectives and innovation in service that have maintained the concept of community forensic services. The model is recommended for implementation in other jurisdictions to extend traditional mental health professional skills in services to a population long ignored.