Component Task: Visit to The Prison

This is a purposeful visit by the RCPN to a prison establishment to liaise with prison health personnel and educate the inmates and other staff to be able to identify individuals showing signs of mental illness.

Aims

·         Educate on the WHO’s Quality Rights of persons living with mental illness

·         Help facilitate referral for clients who may need further assessment and treatment

·         Assess and manage known clients

·         Identify, manage or refer new clients

·         Offer crisis support and safety planning

Requirements

·         A Well-Equipped home visit bag

·         Community Map and or GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS)

·         Manual/electronic area register/ records of the client

·         Means of Transportation

Steps

1.        Read map of the community or use GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS) address to identify the location of the prison

2.      Enter the prison and greet accordingly

3.      Identify officer in-charge of the prison

4.      Establish rapport and introduce self to officer in-charge

5.      Explain purpose of your visit to the officer in-charge and prison health personnel

6.      Enquire from the prison health personnel the presence of inmates with mental illness

7.       Enquire about specific offence(s) that brought inmates into the prison custody

8.      Find out other treatment alternatives available for inmates whiles in the prison

9.      Ask about the nutritional status of inmates and educate on the need for proper feeding whiles on treatment

10.    Enquire about recreational activities available for inmates

11.      Collaborate with prison health personnel and thoroughly assess inmates and identify their physiological health needs

12.    Draw a care plan for their health needs

13.    Assist in providing any other care if required

14.    Encourage the prison health personnel to always refer inmates whose conditions need further treatment or regular medical review to mental health units or health facility

15.    Inform officer in-charge, health personnel and inmates about your next visit

16.    Leave your contact with officer in- charge, health personnel and encourage them to call when necessary

17.    Document the care and findings in report book

18.    Express appreciation and depart