Metropolitan jail psychiatric clinic: a year's experience

The behavioral, demographic and psychiatric characteristics of 524 inmates examined over a one year period in a metropolitan jail psychiatric treatment clinic are described. The psychiatric problems were sufficiently acute that over one-third of all patients were examined and treated within 24 hours of booking. Two psychiatric syndrome and intervention profiles emerged. The most commonly seen were misdemeanants, with psychotic illnesses who required long term antipsychotic medications and close contact with community treatment resources. Situational reactions with suicidal ideation in patients with character disorder diagnoses were seen less frequently. They were treated with short term anti-anxiety medications and environmental manipulation.