Theoretical difficulties in the treatment of mentally ill prisoners

Work as a psychiatrist in a correctional setting involves a difficult interface of the theories of psychiatry, the law, and corrections. The coexistence of models of punishment, rehabilitation and mental health treatment in this work create ethical and practical challenges for the psychiatrist. The lack of a singular or clear theoretical framework may contribute to a potential for countertransference issues to play a determinant role in psychiatric decisions. These difficulties are based on the intersection of the theoretical issues involved.