NCJ Number
128100
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1991) Pages: 210-218
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A survey of existing social control mechanisms found that mental health and criminal justice systems provide controls for the dangerous mentally ill and for dangerous criminals, but there are no adequate methods to deal with mentally ill offenders who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGI).
Abstract
An overview of NGI acquittee studies focuses on types of mental disorder, recidivism, and efficacy of treatment in NGI acquittees. Several courts have dealt with the issue of non-NGI mentally disordered criminals; California, in particular, has passed innovative legislation to address the issue. However, resolution of the criminal and psychiatric recidivism problems posed by non-NGI dangerous mentally ill offenders is restricted by lack of effective treatment, inadequate economic support, and civil liberty concerns. 39 references (Author abstract modified)