Mental Health Services

ADC recognizes and is sensitive to its responsibility to make the most effective use of its limited resources to meet the serious mental health needs of the offender population. Committed to the concept of continuity of care, we provide a full array of services to include: assessment, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling and treatment, education and psycho-pharmacological treatment.  Seriously mentally ill offenders are carefully monitored and treated while in our system and referrals to community programs and services are initiated prior to return to the community.

ADC provides specialized treatment programs and areas for offenders who require a more structured environment and greater mental health intervention.

Alhambra Behavioral Health Treatment Facility
ADC operates a licensed behavioral health treatment facility at ASPC-Phoenix in order to stabilize offenders presenting with moderate to severe symptoms.  This facility consists of a maximum custody unit and four close custody units.  The behavioral health services in this facility are provided solely to ADC incarcerated offenders.  Services include: assessment, evaluation and treatment of offenders who require court ordered mental health services, assessment, stabilization and treatment for offenders who are in need of intensive mental health services.

Men's Treatment Unit
The Men’s Treatment Unit is a medium custody, open yard, dormitory style unit at ASPC-Phoenix providing structured mental health programming focused on continuity of care, symptom management and relapse prevention for adult male offenders that previously received intensive mental health interventions. Services include individual and group treatment, psychopharmacological treatment, recreational and occupational therapy and an academic support program.

Women's Treatment Unit
The Women's Treatment Unit at ASPC-Perryville is designed to provide structured mental health programming focused on continuity of care, symptom management and relapse prevention to close custody female offenders previously receiving intensive mental health intervention. Services include: individual and group treatment, Psychopharmacological treatment and recreational therapies.

Special Management Unit
ASPC-Eyman has a designated area reserved for maximum custody offenders who may have previously received mental health intervention, and are stable, yet their behaviors warrant shielding from the general maximum custody offenders.  Separating maximum custody offenders with history of mental illness or associated problematic behaviors is necessary to promote a stigma free environment.   This area provides a neutral atmosphere with supportive staff that assists offenders in modifying maladaptive behaviors.

Step-Down Program
The Department operates a Step-down Program at ASPC-Tucson in which mentally ill offenders can participate in programming geared toward the successful transition from intense services to moderate or minimal interventions.  Placement into the program is often from higher custody programs with more intensive services.  Services include: individual and group treatment, psychosocial activities, skills development, education and psychopharmacology.

Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability

To provide programming for intellectually and developmentally disabled inmates in the least restrictive environment possible while providing for their safety and adjustment within the correctional setting and successful return to society.

The Department acknowledges that Offenders with special needs require additional case coordination. The Intellectual and Developmental Disability Program (IDDP, formerly MR/DD) is appropriate for inmates with significant adaptive functioning deficits in the correctional setting.

The Program is in the development stage. Once developed, the IDD Program will strive to facilitate the successful reintegration of the Offender into the community.