NCJ Number
9389
Date Published
1972
Length
132 pages
Annotation
RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND PROGRAMS FOR THE MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDER ARE EXAMINED IN THIS COLLECTION OF READINGS.
Abstract
THIS VOLUME, THE SECOND IN A TWO-VOLUME SERIES, PRESENTS A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES AND APPROACHES TO THE PROBLEM OF DEALING WITH THE CRIMINALLY INSANE. A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEM IS PROVIDED THROUGH A SUMMARY OF EXPERIMENTAL AND DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE ON THE MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDER. THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY IS OUTLINED. SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR INCREASING THE ABILITY OF THE POLICE OFFICER TO DEAL WITH MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS. THE ROLES OF THE LAWYER AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST IN DETERMINING A SUSPECT'S COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL ARE EXAMINED. A LAWYER'S VIEW IS PRESENTED ON THE PLACE OF MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS IN COURTROOM DETERMINATIONS OF SANITY. THE REST OF THE PAPERS DEAL WITH NEW TREATMENT METHODS FOR MENTALLY DISTURBED OFFENDERS. THESE INCLUDE THE SYSTEMS APPROACH IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR SOCIOPATHS, CURRENT RESEARCH ON PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS, PRINCIPLES FOR ESTABLISHING A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY, AND A PROPOSAL FOR LOCATING PRISONS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. PROGRAMS WHICH HAVE APPLIED BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES TO THE JUVENILE OFFENDER ARE SUMMARIZED. SEVERAL PROPOSALS ARE OFFERED IN A FINAL ARTICLE FOR INCREASING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS. (SNI ABSTRACT)