White Paul, Chant David
Queensland Centre For Schizophrenia Research, The Park - Centre for Mental Health, Wacol Q 4076, Australia.
Int J Law Psychiatry. 2006 Mar-Apr;29(2):137-44. doi: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2003.03.002. Epub 2006 Feb 21.
Many people who go to gaol are mentally ill. Remandees, prisoner receptions or people in jails have a substantially higher rate of severe mental disorder than other prisoners and the general population. There are no completely satisfactory ways to screen for psychosis and few existing screening questionnaires are available for use in correctional establishments. The Screening Instrument for Psychosis (PS) was developed in the context of the Australian Mental Health Survey: Study of Low Prevalence Disorders. It can help indicate whether a person should be referred to mental health professional for a diagnostic evaluation and possible treatment and/or diversion. We trialled the PS in a high security remand and reception centre. Measures of validity and reliability are reported.
