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Commentary: Seclusion and Restraint in Corrections—A Time for Change

Dr. Champion is Regional Director of Psychiatry, Correctional Medical Services, New Mexico Corrections Department. Address correspondence to: Michael K. Champion, MD, 2442 Cerrillos Road #105, Santa Fe, NM 87507. E-mail: michaelkchampion{at}gmail.com

Seclusion and restraint are essential interventions in the acute psychiatric care of patients in correctional environments. When administered and monitored properly, they are safe and effective in reducing the risk of harm. However, correctional systems have not developed uniform practices that are consistent with current community standards. There has been no clear national standard of care for the use of seclusion and restraint in correctional mental health care. The need for a national standard of care is discussed, and sources for developing a standard of care are reviewed. The Resource Document produced by the American Psychiatric Association is presented as a significant step toward establishing a national standard of care.