1765

AN ACT Relating to a corrections mental health center operated through a partnership of the department of corrections and the University of Washington; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) Historically the Washington state department of corrections has provided medical treatment to those committed to its care. Federal court decisions during the 1970's and 1980's have mandated the availability of mental health treatment within the context of this corrections medical care.

While the department's overall census has increased significantly during the last five years, the proportion of mentally ill committed to the department has expanded at an even more dramatic rate. In 1985, two percent of the offenders entering corrections were considered to be in need of mental health treatment. By June 1992, this percentage had increased to fifteen percent of all incoming offenders. This number is anticipated to reach twenty percent for incoming offenders within the next five years.

Neither the quality nor quantity of mental health services within the department has been sufficient to meet this expanding need. Qualified mental health professionals have proved difficult to recruit, resulting in vacancy rates as high as twenty-two percent for these positions. Rarely do those few available professionals possess the unique skills and experience for this type of work. Corrections mental health staff training opportunities are limited as are research initiatives with this population. While such training and research has been available to state hospitals in recent years, comparable activities have not existed within corrections.

(2) To assist the department in training, research, and the enhancement of mental health services, the University of Washington and the department of corrections shall enter into a partnership. It shall be the responsibility of this partnership to establish a corrections mental health center located at McNeil Island corrections center to achieve the following objectives:

(a) Develop new and innovative treatment approaches for corrections mental health clients.

(b) Improve the quality of mental health services within the department.

(d) Expand research activities within the department in the area of treatment services, the design of delivery systems, the development of organizational models, and training for corrections mental health care professionals.

(e) Improve the work environment for correctional employees by developing the skills, knowledge, and understanding of how to work with offenders with special chronic mental health challenges.

(f) Establish a more positive rehabilitative environment for offenders.

(g) Strengthen multidisciplinary mental health collaboration between the University of Washington and the department of corrections.

(h) Strengthen department linkages between institutions of higher education, public sector mental health systems, and county and municipal corrections.

(i) Assist in the continued formulation of corrections mental health policies.

(j) Develop a pool of mental health professionals from which expertise and personnel in the area of corrections mental health may be drawn to meet state, county, and municipal needs.

(k) Assist in the development of a coordinated continuum of mental health care capable of providing services from corrections entry to community return.

(3) The corrections mental health center shall be responsible for conducting research, training, and treatment activities for the mentally ill offender within selected sites operated by the department. The department shall be responsible for the provision of support services for the center such as food services, maintenance, perimeter security, classification, offender supervision, and living unit functions. The University of Washington shall be active in developing this collaboration through its institute of public policy and management. As resources permit, training within the center shall be available to state, county, and municipal agencies requiring such services. Other state colleges, state universities, and mental health providers may be involved in activities as required on a subcontract basis. Community mental health organizations, research groups, and community advocacy groups shall be critical components of the center's operations and involved as appropriate to annual objectives. Mentally ill clients shall be drawn from throughout the department's population and transferred to the center as clinical need, available services, and department jurisdiction permits.

(4) The department shall prepare a report of the center's progress toward the attainment of stated goals and provide such report to the legislature annually.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.