Examining institutionalised care for people with mental disorders in South America highlighted indicators and trends, including the relationship of psychiatric bed numbers and prison population rates.
Since the Caracas Declaration of 1990, South American countries have committed to the improvement of human rights and social inclusion of people suffering from mental disorders. Reforms meant to de-institutionalise their care and create community mental health services. However, what remains unclear since this was initiated is to what extent this has actually taken place, where institutionalisation of mentally ill occurs and what the current trends are.
Further details: Reduced psychiatric bed numbers linked to increased prison population