Challenges to Employing Shared Decision Making With Adults Under Community Supervision Who Have a Mental Illness.

Jason Matejkowski

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.773411

Abstract

Adults under community corrections supervision and who have a mental illness (MI) are expected to comply with conditions of release which often include involvement with supportive social services. The rates of technical violation, arrest, and incarceration that result from failure to comply with these mandates are exceedingly high. Shared decision making among officer-supervisors and client-supervisees is a promising approach to promote engagement in community corrections services among supervisees who have MI. This paper reviews recent research on shared decision making and identifies three barriers to its implementation in this context: (1) a lack of role clarity, (2) a predilection for risk avoidance, and (3) stigma toward supervisees. Empirically supported recommendations are suggested to aid in overcoming these obstacles, facilitate shared decision making, and promote recovery among this population: (1) unification of supervisor rehabilitative and public safety roles, (2) maximizing opportunities for self-determination through low-stakes events and/or enhancement of supervisee strengths and capabilities, and (3) supervisor training in principles of mental health recovery.

Highlights

Jason Matejkowski*Reviewed by: Philip Theodore Yanos, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, United States Karen Wright, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom
People with mental illness (MI) are overrepresented among the nearly 4.4 million adults living under community corrections supervision in the United States [i.e., on probation or parole [1–3]]
Persons under community supervision must comply with certain conditions of release and adhere to a range of supervising officer instructions. These supervision requirements may be more demanding for people with MIs as, in addition to the standard conditions required of all supervisees, mandates for these individuals often include participation in mental health or substance use treatment and adherence to the recommendations of these specialty treatment providers

Summary

Jason Matejkowski*

Reviewed by: Philip Theodore Yanos, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, United States Karen Wright, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom. With Adults Under Community Supervision Who Have a Mental Illness. Adults under community corrections supervision and who have a mental illness (MI) are expected to comply with conditions of release which often include involvement with supportive social services. Shared decision making among officer-supervisors and client-supervisees is a promising approach to promote engagement in community corrections services among supervisees who have MI. Supported recommendations are suggested to aid in overcoming these obstacles, facilitate shared decision making, and promote recovery among this population: [1] unification of supervisor rehabilitative and public safety roles, [2] maximizing opportunities for self-determination through low-stakes events and/or enhancement of supervisee strengths and capabilities, and [3] supervisor training in principles of mental health recovery

INTRODUCTION

Challenges to Shared Decision Making

CAN SUPERVISEES BE AFFORDED THE DIGNITY OF RISK?

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION