Corrections_Today_Fall_2025_Vol.87_No.3

OFFICE OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH

not limited to, suicide and self-injury prevention, understanding mental ill ness, recognizing symptoms of major mental disorders, detecting signs of deterioration, crisis response and indicators for referrals. ▶ GUIDING PRINCIPLE: Knowledge is power, and none of us is as smart as all of us. 10. Open lines of communication between security and mental health A high-ranking prison official once told me that most of the big problems he had during his 30-year career were the result of poor com munication. So, keeping open the lines of communication between se curity and mental health staff, from

regular meetings with the warden to daily dialogue at the unit level, builds mutual trust and respect that is critically important. ▶ GUIDING PRINCIPLE: Good communication leads to community, whereas bad communication leads to disagreement and fragmentation in the multidisciplinary function. Finally, stay updated on the current research. There is recent research, for example, sug gesting psychological well-being and distress vary among individu als with mental illness who are housed in restrictive hous ing. And remember, use the ACA’s Performance-Based Standards and Expected Practices as your

road map and these 10 key components to guide your mental health program. CT REFERENCES Performance-Based Standards and Expected Practices for Adult Correctional Institutions American Correctional Association. Fifth Edition, March 2021 Aufderheide, D. (2013). Mental Illness in Administrative Segregation: How to Bulletproof Your Program Against Litigation. Correct Care, Spring, Vol. 27, No. 2: 14-16.

Dr. Dean Aufderheide is a clinical and forensic

psychologist and a licensed chaplain. He is ACA’s Director of Mental Health and board certified in correctional psychology.

Performance-Based Expected Practices for Adult Correctional

Institutions, Fifth Edition Updated and available now in your choice of print or digital format!

Includes expected practices covering the critical program areas for effective institutional management, safety procedures, security, rules and discipline, staff development, physical plant and health care services.

Order online today at www.aca.org, under the Marketplace tab

Corrections Today | Fall 2025

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