Role conflicts of the prison psychiatrist.

Practicing psychiatry in a prison is a complex experience characterized by doubts and frustrations as well as challenges and rewards, Lack of conviction abollt sllch work is reflected by the pre,ence of relatively few psychiatrists in this field despite enormous demand for them, Such aversion has several possible explanations, I propose that an important rea,on is the great potential for role ambiguity to which the psychiatrist is subjeued in the prison atmosphere, This ambiguity is promoted by conflicting demands and expectatiom from inmate, and ,taff as well as by social critics who question the validity of the mental health approach to criminality, These issues will be illustrated and examined,