Question

What are the ethical considerations of prescribing psychotropic medications for psychotic individuals? What are the risks of inmates taking these medications? How can prison officials reduce these risks when it appears that an inmate could benefit from psychotropic medications? How might prison officials encourage an atmosphere of compliance with such a program?

Answer 1

Some ethical considerations of prescribing psychotropic medications for psychotic individuals are:

1) Informed consent: This is informing the patient regarding the medications that are being prescribed and the kind of effect it would have on the patient. Taking consent however depends upon the severity of the patient and his or her capability to understand the relevance.

2) Clinical Innovation: Sometimes inmates may show symptoms for which there are none or few approved treatments. In such cases clinical innovation would be appreciated.  

3) Enhancement therapies: The psychotropic medications should aim at healing the psychotic individuals including the ones suffering from multiple disorders.

4) Professional boundaries: Professional boundaries between the patient and the clinician must be maintained, violating which would lead to clinical and legal implications.

The risks faced by inmates taking medications are:

1) Discontinuation of treatment: Treatments are sometimes stopped half-way or not done by certified medical professionals which lead to improper care of the inmates.

2) Limited treatment options: The limited treatment options of inmates have resulted in greater number of behavioural issues in inmates such as causing harm to others, isolation, etc. Such issues have further resulted in isolation and punishment of inmates for their unacceptable behaviour.

3) Lack of suitable atmosphere: Poorly treated mental health conditions further risks the behaviour of psychotic inmates by making them more anti-social, sef-destructive and increased victimization.

The prison officials can reduce these risks by:

1) Alloting better trained mental health professionals in prisons.

2) Placing emphasis on screening and treatment of mental health conditions of inmates

The prison officials can encourage an atmosphere of compliance with such a program by:

1) Using psychotropic medication along with self-help care of inmates and counselling in order to correct their behaviour.

2) Alloting bigger budget and more human resources to cater these issues and the needs.