Profiling Mentally Disordered Prison Inmates: A Case Study in New Jersey

This paper profiles the behavioral health and criminal justice characteristics of the universe of male special needs inmates (N = 2,715) in New Jersey prisons. Mentally disordered inmates were found to vary significantly and systematically in their treatment needs and their risks to the community. The lack of homogeneity within the mentally disordered inmate population suggests the need to classify need—risk clusters within the offender group, develop programs that respond to particular need—risk clusters, and match types of mentally disordered offenders to these specialized programs. Recommended is a cafeteria—style approach to treatment planning that recognizes the complexity of problem behaviors and the variation in the presentation of these problems.