Connecticut Correctional Health Research Program

Project Summary for 2002-IJ-CX-K009 The University of Connecticut Health Center holds the contract with the Connecticut Department of Corrections to provide all correctional health care and mental health care services for the entire State correctional system. This 4 year project revolves around three distinct goals to establish, promote and evaluate the delivery of mental health services in the Connecticut correctional system. The first goal is intended to fortify the existing relationship between the Connecticut Department of Corrections (CDOC), the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC), and the Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC). This will be accomplished by developing and supporting health and service related research projects and protocols devoted to the characterization and improvement of health services in correctional facilities and their impacts on subsequent public safety issues. The second goal will be to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of dialectical behavior therapy (DPT) on three distinct corrections populations: sex offenders, adolescents, and offenders housed in special population units. The third goal of this project will be to develop a data set of health services research information to inform correctional health care services providers in all jurisdictions and facilities. ca/ncf