Generally accepted epidemiological studies indicate that between ten and twenty percent of the mentally ill in state and federal prisons suffer from serious mental disorders. In Florida, about 15% of the inmates receive mental health care.

Mental health grades range from S-1 to S-5. S-1 grade (Normal) indicates no mental health problems are present. S-2 grade (Mild) indicates outpatient mental health services without psychotropic medication. S-3 grade (Moderate) indicates outpatient mental health services with psychotropic medication. S-4 and S-5 grades (Severe/Hospital) indicate inpatient mental health services in a Transitional Care Unit (TCU) or inpatient mental health services in a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU).

• The percentage of the prison population who are considered to have "normal" psychological grades has decreased from 87.9% in 1997 to 84.9% in 2001.
  
  
• Women, in particular, are increasingly falling into the "moderate impairment" category, from 574 or 16.7% of the total female population in 1997 to 1,324 or 31.2% in 2001.
  
  
• In comparison, the number of male inmates considered “moderately impaired” has risen from 4,456 or 7.3% of the total male population in 1997 to 6,005 or 8.9% in 2001.
  
  

Male Inmates with Mental Disorders on June 30, 2001

Female Inmates with Mental Disorders on June 30, 2001