inmates in a correctional facility who also are psychiatric patients, these findings indicate that some inmate concerns over seclusion rooms may be allayed through the provision of information concerning the actual structure and configuration of seclusion rooms in use, as well as assurances that psychiatric care will continue to be provided as needed.
A study conducted by Wise, Mann, Leibenluft, and Goldberg (1989) found that psychiatric patients perceive seclusion rooms differently depending upon whether such rooms are visible to non secluded patients or are isolated and out of view. Patients tend to hold more unfavorable perceptions of seclusion rooms when such rooms are isolated than when they are visible to non secluded patients. Further, patients in facilities with visible seclusion rooms tend to think that secluded patients improve as a result of seclusion room experiences. Wise, Mann, Leibenluft, and Goldberg (1989) found, however, that actual patient improvement was not affected by the visibility or isolation of the seclusion room. Nevertheless, inmate apprehension about and opposition to the use of seclusion rooms might be ameliorated by making seclusion rooms visible to non secluded inmates in corrections facilities.
Mann, Wise, and Shay (1993) found that most psychiatric patients with experience in a seclusion room did not find the experience to be restful, but at the same time they did not perceive that they were being held prisoner. This latter findings would be of little relevance to inmates in a corrections facility. Among the patients studies, Mann, Wise, and Shay (1993) reported that only a small minority thought that the use of seclusion rooms for psychiatric patients should be eliminated. This finding might indicate that negative staff perceptions of the seclusion process are not of necessity shared by psychiatric patients. Whether this insight is applicable in a corrections situation is controversial.<...