Forensic Psychiatry

Catalog description

The Forensic Psychiatry Service serves male inmates (ages 16 years and older) in the New York City correctional system. The demographics of the male population served reflects that of the jails and prisons of New York City in that the majority of patients are from minority groups: black and hispanic. Although the majority of the patients are from lower-income, minority groups, we frequently treat and evaluate professionals including doctors (even psychiatrists), lawyers, businessmen and clergymen. The age range is generally in the younger to middle twenties. On average the population is generally one-half treatment cases and one-half evaluation cases. A majority of cases carry a DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric diagnosis. The most frequent diagnoses are that of Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Depressive Disorders. Also common among the population are diagnoses of Personality Disorder and Impulse Control Disorder. The assessment of Malingering is an essential component of each evaluation. A substantial number of referrals are sent for treatment because of suicidal or homicidal tendencies.