Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Rates of mental illness are high among prison populations. This research will explore existing processes to detect mental illness among prisoners serving sentences of 2 years or longer. First it will measure whether current mental health screening tests can accurately identify offenders with mental illness that require further treatment. Second, it will measure changes in mental health during the first year in prison and events that may cause these changes. Finally, it will look at differences in outcomes for offenders with mental illness depending on if and when they are referred for service. This research will lead to improved identification of mental illness to overcome barriers to accessing treatment at the earliest point possible. It will also seek to clarify how and for whom mental health services can reduce continued involvement with the criminal justice and mental health systems.