Correctional Mental Health Expert Witnesses

Psychology, Psychoanalysis - Traumatic Injury, Correctional Mental Health, Risk Assessment, Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD, Standard of Care, Institutional Inpatient Care, Disability, Adjustment Disorder, Military Mental Health, IME, Emotional Distress, Fitness for Duty, Competency

Dr. Butler is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She earned her doctoral degree and master’s degree in clinical psychology at Argosy University in Alameda, California. In addition, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and minored in health science at California State University: Hayward, California. Dr. Butler’s administrative and leadership career has included the role of Director of Behavioral Health and Senior Psychologist Specialist which consisted of monitoring and enforcing compliance with government regulations, developing trainings, conducting audits and effectively communicating with stake holders. She has over seven years of experience working with individuals and groups in forensic –based settings, inpatient- based settings, and outpatient community based setting. She has treated adult individuals with co-occurring disorders and those who are dealing with life stressors (e.g., career change, job loss, divorce, trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse). Fu...

Forensic Psychology, Psychology - Correctional Mental Health, Institutional Adult and Juvenile Inpatient Care, Pediatric Mental Disability, Autism, Developmental Disorders, Standard of Care, Traumatic Injury, Risk Assessment, Malingering, Chronic Pain, Emotional Distress, Cognitive and Functional Capacity

Kerry A. Hannifin, Psy.D. in a licensed forensic and clinical psychologist. Dr. Hannifin is currently a Senior Psychologist Supervisor with the Department of State Hospitals - Patton, where she has been employed for 15 years. In her role at DSH-Patton, Dr. Hannifin oversees the PC 1370, Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST), division of the hospital’s Forensic Evaluation Department, the largest forensic department in the nation. Dr. Hannifin developed and implemented the IST forensic program at DSH-Patton, the first to be fully implemented within the Department of State Hospitals. Dr. Hannifin has extensive forensic experience and has provided expert testimony on various forensic matters. Dr. Hannifin frequently provides forensic trainings, presentations, and consultation. In addition to her work at DSH-Patton, Dr. Hannifin has a forensic private practice. In her practice, Dr. Hannifin serves as a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) and has worked with the Department of Industrial Relatio...

Psychology, Correctional Healthcare - Suicide, suicide prevention, suicide risk assessment, standard of care, deliberate indifference, negligence, prison, corrections, correctional mental health

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of experience in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. I am familiar with the clinical, administrative, and legal aspects of delivering mental healthcare in prison. I have delivered direct services in outpatient, inpatient, and segregated settings and supervised staff in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric programs. Mental healthcare in prison is frequently tied to judicial intervention. I am broadly familiar with the legal basis and remedial phases of such intervention. I am approved by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care as a Certified Correctional Health Professional. I have specific expertise in suicide in adult correctional settings (e.g., suicide risk assessment, treatment of suicidal persons, and suicide prevention policy). Currently, I monitor and support the suicide prevention programs for eight prisons in Northern California. I have previously coordinated the suicide prev...