NCJ Number
9388
Date Published
1972
Length
147 pages
Annotation
VIEWPOINTS OF SCHOLARS AND PRACTITIONERS IN LAW AND PSYCHIATRY ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS.
Abstract
THE MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDER CREATES PERSISTENT PROBLEMS FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - SHOULD HE BE HANDLED AS A CRIMINAL OR AS A DISTURBED PERSON IN NEED OF TREATMENT. THESE PAPERS CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE GENERAL SUBJECT AREAS - THE ROLE OF THE PSYCHIATRIST IN COURT, STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS FOR TREATING OFFENDER BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS, AND NEW TREATMENT METHODS. THE SELECTIONS DEALING WITH THE PSYCHIATRIST CONSIDER HIS POSITION AS A FRIEND OF THE COURT, THE USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS AS THEY AFFECT COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL, AND THE PSYCHIATRIC IMPLICATIONS OF A 'CULTURAL INSANITY' DEFENSE. THE ARTICLES ON INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS EXAMINE VARIOUS TREATMENT APPROACHES AT THE STATE LEVEL AND AT THE U.S. MEDICAL CENTER FOR FEDERAL PRISONERS. THE EMERGING RIGHT TO TREATMENT IN MENTAL INSTITUTIONS IS EXPLORED, AS WELL AS THE SPECIAL PROBLEM OF ESTABLISHING A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY HOSPITAL. THE NEW TREATMENT MODALITIES OF ATTITUDE THERAPY, REALITY THERAPY, AND CHEMOTHERAPY ARE DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED BY CASE STUDIES. (SNI ABSTRACT)