Ethical and Legal Issues in Correctional Mental Health
2 Hours | 2 CEs
This on-demand professional training program on Ethical and Legal Issues in Correctional Mental Health is presented by Virginia Barber Rioja, PhD.
This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards the Correctional Mental Health Certificate and share your new digital credentials
The U.S. correctional system provides significant opportunities for clinicians to contribute to the improvement of mental health care in jails and prisons. However, mental health professionals working in correctional settings are continuously exposed to complicated ethical and moral dilemmas. This is particularly true for those who see protecting the human rights of those they work with as an aim of correctional healthcare.
The unique nature of correctional settings requires psychologists to balance the well-being of their patients and the security or safety needs of the institution. Issues of confidentiality, dual loyalty, or placement of people in punitive segregation/restrictive housing are just some examples of areas of correctional practice that raise ethical dilemmas. This program provides an overview of the ethical and moral dilemmas that arise in the correctional context, it explains why professional organizations’ ethical guidelines might not be sufficient to inform correctional mental health practice, and it provides recommendations for minimizing ethical issues and protecting human rights in correctional healthcare.
Program Outline
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Introduction
- Overview of the Training
- Current State of Mental Health Care in Jails and Prisons
- Gain insight into the specific ethical challenges faced by mental health professionals in correctional settings, including issues of confidentiality, dual loyalty, and the treatment of individuals in punitive segregation or restrictive housing.
- Explore why traditional ethical guidelines from professional organizations may not fully address the complexities of correctional mental health practice. Understand the limitations and areas where these guidelines may fall short in guiding ethical decision-making within the correctional context.
- Learn practical recommendations for minimizing ethical issues and protecting human rights while working in correctional healthcare. This includes strategies for balancing patient care with institutional demands and ensuring that ethical considerations are integrated into daily practice.
Intended Audience
This on-demand professional training program is intended for mental health and other allied professionals
Experience Level
This on-demand professional training program is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.
CE / CPD Credit
APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC Click here for state and other regional board approvals.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program you will be able to:
Describe the different ethical and moral issues that commonly arise in correctional mental health care
Describe human rights approach to correctional healthcare
Describe approaches to minimize and solve ethical dilemmas in correctional healthcare
Presented By
Virginia Barber-Rioja, PhD
Virginia Barber-Rioja obtained her Ph.D. in clinical forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York. For 7 years, she worked in the NYC jail system holding the positions of Co-Chief and Clinical Director of Mental Health and Assistant Chief of Forens...
Curriculum
1. Program Introduction
2. Navigating Ethical and Legal Frameworks in Correctional Mental Health
3. Addressing Ethical Challenges in Correctional Mental Health
4. Recommendations
Develop a Specialty Area of Practice
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CE Credit
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Convenience & Flexibility
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