NCJ Number
30026
Journal
Social Casework Dated: (JULY 1975) Pages: 418-426
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
TREATMENT OF FIFTY ADULTS ACCUSED OF VIOLATING CRIMINAL LAWS WHO CAME TO THE ATTENTION OF A COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER AS A RESULT OF DIVERSION FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE NETWORK.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN AN INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTY OF 100,000 POPULATION IN THE PIEDMONT AREA OF THE SOUTH. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THESE ACCUSED OFFENDERS WERE REGARDED AS COMMUNITY NUISANCES WHO HAD EXHAUSTED THE PATIENCE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES AND OTHERS. DIVERSION OF THESE LAW VIOLATORS TO MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH RELATIVELY LITTLE VIOLATION OF THEIR RIGHTS. HOWEVER, IT APPEARED QUESTIONABLE THAT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY STATE HOSPITALS, OFFER MORE HUMANE TREATMENT THAN DO PRISONS. THE INHUMANITY OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT APPEARS TO DERIVE AT LEAST PARTLY FROM ATTEMPTS TO TREAT LAW VIOLATORS AS IF THEY HAD PSYCHOTIC OR NEUROTIC ILLNESSES. EFFECTIVENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN STOPPING LAW-VIOLATING BEHAVIOR APPEARED TO DEPEND UPON WHETHER THE OFFENDER HABITUALLY MAINTAINED EMPLOYMENT AND LIVED IN A SELF-SUPPORTING FAMILY. TREATMENT IN A MENTAL HEALTH CENTER IN THE COMMUNITY SEEMED MORE EFFECTIVE THAN TREATMENT IN A STATE HOSPITAL ALONE. THESE FINDINGS MAY OR MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO CRIMINAL OFFENDERS DIVERTED TO MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN OTHER LOCALES. THE RESULTS DESCRIBED HERE DO DEMONSTRATE, HOWEVER, SOME ISSUES INVOLVED IN DIVERTING OFFENDERS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)