NCJ Number
140582
Journal
Police Volume: 24 Issue: 12 Dated: (August 1992) Pages: 21
Date Published
1992
Length
1 page
Annotation
The case of Gerry Webb has resulted in extensive litigation and legislation in Australia, including the enactment of special legislation allowing indefinite detention of a person who might commit an offense from which the community needs protection.
Abstract
Webb has many convictions and has been institutionalized most of his life. He has repeatedly made known his intention to celebrate his eventual release by taking a machine gun to a shopping center and shooting as many people as he can, although he states that this intention is merely a fantasy expressed in a confidential counseling situation. He has also mutilated himself extensively. However, physicians agree that he is not mentally ill; instead, they report that he suffers from an extreme form of anti-social personality disorder. To address his case, Victoria's government asked the Law Reform Commission to consider it. The commission suggested amending the definition of mental illness, but the Opposition in Parliament refused to cooperate. Instead, a personal Act of Parliament was prepared that named just Webb and authorized his continued detention beyond his sentence. A judicial review in June 1992 resulted in Webb's removal to a secure hospital, but Webb's subsequent self-mutilation with a razor resulted in his return to prison. A similar law designed to deal with intractable recidivists was passed in Washington State last year. Photograph