The importance of psychiatric illness in newly arrested prisoners.

One hundred ninety-nine male prisoners without prior felony convictions were evaluated through a structured personal interview administered within 24 hours of this arrest. While 46 per cent met psychiatric diagnostic criteria, only 5 per cent demonstrated a need for acute treatment for their affective disorder or organic brain syndrome. It is felt that the alcoholics (15 per cent) and drug-abusing prisoners (12 per cent) might benefit from counseling but were not in need of emergency care. The characteristics of men in each diagnostic group are discussed.