Inmates’ mental health advocate begins today

New office set to focus on prisoners’ conditions in jail and before release

HARRISBURG — The state Department of Corrections has hired a mental health advocate for inmates in prison and those preparing for release.

The establishment of the Office of Mental Health Advocate follows a number of changes the department made in connection with a lawsuit challenging its treatment of mentally ill inmates.

In January, the department announced it would phase out the use of solitary confinement for prisoners with serious mental illness. A settlement with the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania includes that requirement, as well as provisions related to evaluating inmates and training staff. Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said the changes are already in place.

Lynn Patrone, head of the new Office of Mental Health Advocate, is scheduled to start work today and will report directly to Mr. Wetzel.

Her job will be to ensure the department is following through with its commitments to mental health treatment, and to receive the concerns of inmates and family members, Mr. Wetzel said. She also will work to sign up inmates for Medicaid coverage before their releases, so they can then seek treatment in the community.

Ms. Patrone previously served as executive assistant to the deputy secretary at the Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. She holds master’s degrees in health education from York College and Penn State University, the Department of Corrections said.

“One of the reasons that I’ve accepted this position is because of the incredible amount of effort and work that has gone into addressing the offenders who are mentally ill, under Secretary Wetzel’s leadership,” Ms. Patrone said in an interview. “One of the things that has impressed me most about him is he has said it’s the right thing to do.

“I’m there to ensure people have access to behavioral health care, regardless of what else may be going on.”

As of the end of December, 21.7 percent of male inmates were on the Department of Corrections mental health roster, with 6.9 percent considered seriously mentally ill. For female inmates, the proportions were much higher: 65.5 percent were on the mental health roster, with 27.7 percent considered seriously mentally ill.

Robert Meek, an attorney with the Disability Rights Network, said he hoped the appointment indicated the department is serious about providing appropriate treatment as well as services designed to ease the transition out of prison.

“Obviously it remains to be seen whether it actually does,” he said. “It gives me a little hope that good things can flow from it.”