Comparing GBMI and non-GBMI Female Prisoners in Michigan.

Abstract

The guilty but mentally ill (GBMI) verdict was first adopted in Michigan in part to provide treatment for offenders suffering from mental illness. Currently, little is known of its impact among women prisoners. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to explore if GBMI women (n = 30) spent more time on acute and residential treatment program (RTP) units in prison and/or had a higher number of violence tickets, compared with matched guilty mentally ill prisoners (non-GBMI, n = 30). The secondary aim was to characterize Axis I and Axis II disorders in GBMI female prisoners. Finally, we analyzed the data to find which Axis I and II disorders, if any, were significantly associated with violence tickets in the first year of incarceration and time in acute and RTP settings. Results showed there were no significant differences in time on acute units or the number of violence tickets between groups. Across both groups, those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder had a higher number of violence tickets in the first year of prison (p < .001). The results supported the arbitrariness of the GBMI verdict in the female population and advocated for Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) programs in prisons.