Assessment of psychosocial impairment in a supermaximum security unit sample

This article concerns a study of Washington State supermaximum security unit (SMU) residents conducted to generate systematic, empirical data for this population and to investigate behavioral, institutional, and policy issues that affect their treatment. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is used to standardize interview-based assessments of participants' psychosocial functioning, in conjunction with other operational, situation-specific measures. Results indicate that the BPRS is a reliable and effective measure of psychosocial impairment in SMU residents. Comparison of factor-based BPRS scores in this sample with scores and factor analysis solutions achieved in other populations points to considerations specific to this population that require further study. Finally, assessment of SMU residents using the BPRS and convergent measures of impairment indicates that a significant number demonstrate psychosocial impairment and/or meet criteria for serious mental illness.