Changes to the state’s Department of Corrections mental health programs are making a big difference for inmates, both during and after prison.

About three years ago, the U.S. Department of Justice announced an investigation into the way Pennsylvania prisoners with mental illness or intellectual disabilities were treated. 

Now, that investigation is over and authorities said changes are noticeable.

Among the 50,000 inmates in 26 institutions across Pennsylvania, about 12,000 inmates are on the mental health roster.

“You’re looking at probably, 25 to 27 percent of folks that are on the mental health roster,” Dr. Bob Marsh, head of the Office of Psychology, said. “Of that percentage, about nine percent of them have been identified as having a serious mental illness.”

SCI Benner is one of 14 facilities designed to house inmates with serious mental illness.

Statewide, changes include an expansion of mental health diagnosis and classification, the addition of specialized treatment units and out of cell time for activities and treatment, which includes help from peers. So far, more than 500 inmates have been specially trained to help with treatment and suicide prevention.

“The work does not stop here. The work must also filter into our home communities, where we need additional resources, where we need additional tools, where we can offer members of society the resources, the commitment and the ability to treat and to help succeed in the recovery of mental illness,” SCI Benner Superintendent Tammy Ferguson said.

A mental health advocate was appointed one year ago, to help facilitate these changes and treatment. Officers have also received crisis intervention team training to help improve their response to help the mentally ill.

The D.O.C. said they’ll offer this type of training to county prisons in the future.