NCJ Number
164465
Journal
Psychology, Crime & Law Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 5-17
Date Published
1995
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Studies of unselected birth cohorts, psychiatric patients discharged to the community, and mental disorders among convicted offenders provide compelling evidence of high rates of criminality and violence among both men and women who suffer from major mental disorders.
Abstract
Several studies have been conducted in different countries since policies of deinstitutionalizing the mentally disordered have been implemented. Different explanations of the criminality of individuals with major mental disorders are evaluated that focus on police bias, substance abuse, and the early and late start model. The author proposes two types of offenders with major mental disorders: (1) the early starter displays a stable pattern of antisocial behavior from a young age; and (2) the late starter begins offending only at about the time symptoms of the major mental disorder become apparent. In addition, the author hypothesizes that major mental disorders are not related to the criminality of early starters and that symptoms of major mental disorders may be directly related to the illegal behavior of late starters. Clinical implications for mental health professionals who assess and treat individuals with major mental disorders are discussed. 59 references