NCJ Number
59632
Journal
Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (1977) Pages: 20-28
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
IN DENMARK THERE IS A DECLINE IN THE USE OF PSYCHIATRIC CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, AND PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS ARE NO LONGER AS IMPORTANT AS THEY ONCE WERE IN THE LEGAL HANDLING OF OFFENDERS.
Abstract
TRADITIONALLY, FORENSIC PSYCHIATRISTS EXAMINED PERSONS SEEKING ABORTION OR STERILIZATION, HANDLED CASTRATION CASES, AND HELPED COURTS EVALUATE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AN OFFENDER. ABORTION AND STERILIZATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO ALL ADULTS, CASTRATION IS SELDOM CONSIDERED, AND THE PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION OF OFFENDERS NO LONGER ENJOYS THE CONFIDENCE OF THE COURTS AND THE PUBLIC. COURTS ARE USING A PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION AS THE BASIS FOR SENTENCING FOR ONLY THE MOST PSYCHOTIC OFFENDERS. INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR MODERATELY DISTURBED PERSONS ARE IN DISFAVOR BECAUSE THEY DOUBLY STIGMATIZE AN OFFENDER; BY LABELING THE PERSON BOTH MENTALLY DISTURBED AND CRIMINAL SUCH INSTITUTIONS MAKE REENTRY INTO SOCIETY DOUBLY DIFFICULT. THE PUBLIC HAS LOST CONFIDENCE IN FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY BECAUSE THE DISCIPLINE HAS NEITHER BEEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSES OF CRIME NOR PREDICT RECIDIVISM. AS A RESULT, FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY IS REMAINING A SUBSPECIALTY OF TRADITIONAL PSYCHIATRY, RATHER THAN ASSUMING A ROLE AS A NEW DISCIPLINE. PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES ARE NOW BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL OFFENDERS WHO WISH THEM. THE OFFICIAL POLICY OF THE DANISH PSYCHIATRIC SOCIETY IS TO ESTABLISH FORENSIC CENTERS WITH CENTERS FOR GENERAL PSYCHIATRY AND TO OFFER CONSULTATIVE SERVICES TO THE PRISONS. THE DISCUSSION IS FOOTNOTED. (GLR)