Challenges of Treating Mental Health Issues in Correctional Settings.

The current article explores the challenges of correctional nursing and provides implications for nursing practice and advocacy for optimal outcomes for incarcerated individuals with mental illness. The role of the nurse as advocate and educator is discussed. Opportunities for changing the conversation that addresses the criminalization of mental illness, stigma, and social policy is presented as a path forward. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(7), 7-12.].