Related Experiment Videos
Rural jail telepsychiatry: a pilot feasibility study
Luisa Manfredi1, Joann Shupe, Steven L Batki
1Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA. manfredl@upstate.edu
Summary
Telepsychiatry successfully increased access to mental health care for inmates in a rural New York jail. This approach offers a feasible solution for providing psychiatric services to underserved incarcerated populations.
Area of Science:
- Criminal Justice
- Telemedicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Rural jails in New York lack adequate on-site psychiatric services.
- Inmate access to off-site mental health care is limited by transportation costs and safety concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of providing telepsychiatric consultations to rural jail inmates.
- To improve access to psychiatric treatment in underserved correctional facilities.
Main Methods:
- A feasibility study involving telepsychiatric consultations via two-way audio-video.
- Interactive sessions connected an urban university medical center psychiatrist with rural jail inmates.
- 15 consenting inmates received 37 consultations for psychiatric care.
Main Results:
- Telepsychiatry was readily accepted by both inmates and jail staff.
- The study demonstrated a feasible method for delivering mental health services.
- Anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders were prevalent among treated inmates.
Conclusions:
- Telepsychiatric consultations are a viable option for enhancing mental health care access in rural jails.
- Further research on cost-benefit analysis is needed to support advocacy for expanded services.