This presentation provides an overview of the unique legal requirements, mandates, and challenges inherent in working in a correctional setting, and proposes a framework that can be used to support successful clinical interventions taking these legal expectations into account. Topics include general best practices regarding confidentiality, client safety, and clinical and legal obligations, with a particular focus on situations in which obligations compete between those owed to the client and those owed to the institution.

Educational Objectives

• Identify situations in which a clinician may have competing legal obligations
• Employ consistent documentation practices that take into account varying legal requirements
• Discuss possible barriers to meeting clients' clinical needs while minimizing legal risk

Level: Intermediate