Lots of stories of late during this election season about sex offenders and criminals in general. Early  release to allow for  monitoring  and adjusting to life has everyone all jazzed up.  The Pumpkin Man refused to attend any sex offender  sessions, thereby  missing parole  opportunities and the  admission of guilt. He served  his entire sentence and was released. You  can’t force treatment.

Read the newspaper to get some background.

Then go  check the stories, on your machine and that’s when you  really understand. I had wind of this back in March when I inquired about  psychiatric services at a Rehab Facility where my brother was a patient. It  was a general question about the “down in the dumps” feeling supposedly unique to men post stroke. The answer was ” well yes ,we did, but no longer”.  In fact  it seems that NH is really hurting for  Psychiatrists. Market forces?? I have no clue. The prisons had a program with Dartmouths Psychiatry  program beginning back in 2001 using residents/students. I have no idea if it is still in place. Prisons are tough places to work,even scary for others. I have had many occasions to be in units for special people that  cannot control themselves, that require supervision. We don’t have enough of these  facilities. Many in surrounding States have closed.

The State really is unable to  treat inmates with psychiatric issues. So, we have to  get them out so they can be treated, and monitored in community based programs.

I also stumbled   on a debate that is hot/cold between Psychiatrists and Psychologists. Here is an article from 2004 on the issue  of Psychologists  being allowed to prescribe. It’s about NH’s battle for this legislation, from 2004 folks.

Psychiatry online article

Rural areas (think our State) have lots of  Psychologists,but they can’t prescribe. Not even a little anti  depressant for that shotgun wielding guy  running of into the woods, again. Too bad.

The NH  Bar Association in 2006 published an article  on competency  hearings in NH, it is  not an eye opener to me. Just read Seacoast Online for the  latest update on the mayhem makers.

NH Bar article  on competency hearings It was written by a Psychiatrist from our State System.

Next up on the Crier, it’s not about the Hospital being expensive, it’s about hand washing.

Mike