Characteristics of inmates who received a diagnosis of serious mental illness upon entry to New York State prison.

Objective: This study investigated the characteristics of inmates who received a diagnosis of serious mental illness upon entry to a New York State prison. The number has been rapidly increasing since the 1990s.

Methods: Chart review was performed for inmates who entered prison between May 15, 2007, and June 14, 2007, and received a diagnosis of serious mental illness.