Impact of State Mental Hospital Deinstitutionalization on Commitments for Incompetency to Stand Trial

• NCJ Number: 112006
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1988) Pages: 307-320
• Author(s): T M Arvanites
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 14 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79-NI-AX-2016
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: A previous version of this paper was presented at the 1987 meeting of the American Society of Criminology.

Annotation

This study examines the correlation between the rate of deinstitutionalization and increases in the frequency of incompetency commitments.

Abstract

Previous studies have reported that State mental hospital deinstitutionalization has resulted in the criminalization of the mentally ill. Two samples of defendants found incompetent to stand trial (IST) pre- and postdeinstitutionalization were selected from three States. Changes in the characteristics of incompetent defendants were studied as well as the correlation of the rate of deinstitutionalization and frequency of incompetency commitments. Data suggest that increases in IST commitments and the mental health histories of the postdeinstitutionalization cohort are positively related to deinstitutionalization. There is no evidence that incompetent defendants are now being arrested for less serious offenses, contrary to the criminalization hypotheses. 3 tables and 30 references. (Author abstract modified)