What does CSTU mean in UNCLASSIFIED

A Correctional Services Treatment Unit (CSTU) is a specialized prison unit used to treat offenders with mental health disorders. The CSTU provides inmates with individualized treatment plans, counseling, and support services that can help them cope with the stresses of incarceration and prepare for life outside of prison.

A CSTU provides inmates with individualized treatment plans, counseling, and support services that can help them cope with the stresses of incarceration and prepare for life outside of prison. This includes helping inmates better understand their mental illness, reduce stress levels through therapeutic activities, access services within the community when they are released from prison, and address issues such as substance abuse or anger management.

Inmates in an CSTU typically participate in one-on-one sessions with a therapist or counselor who will assess their needs and develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to their specific disorder(s). Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, medication management, substance use disorder management/treatment, anger management classes/counseling, relaxation training/coping skills development classes/groups, recreation therapy groups/activities or other therapeutic approaches.

While being placed in a CSTU provides many benefits for inmates suffering from mental health disorders or other issues related to their time in incarceration there are also potential risks associated with this environment as well. Due to limited staff availability as well as strict rules regarding behavior inside the unit some inmates may not be able to receive proper care on an ongoing basis which could jeopardize their wellbeing while they are incarcerated. Additionally due to the heightened security within many correctional facilities even minor infractions committed inside the unit could result in more severe punishments than they would otherwise receive if they were housed elsewhere within the institution.