NCJ Number
94107
Journal
Journal of Prison and Jail Health Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall/Winter 1983) Pages: 101-111
Date Published
1983
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A significant number of mentally retarded offenders are incarcerated and face adjustment problems both while in prison and upon release.
Abstract
Corrections experts should address the problems of this inmate population. Mental retardation may predispose an individual to commit criminal acts; being less adept, these people are easier to apprehend and convict. The retarded offender confesses more easily, is more friendly to suggestion as well as intimidation, and pleads guilty more often. Retarded offenders also get longer sentences because they do not know how to plea bargain and they are not good prospects for probation. Experts disagree on (1) whether corrections or the mental health system has the ultimate responsibility for the retarded offender and (2) whether retarded offenders should be treated separately from the general prison population. Identification screening before entering prison would be helpful, but it is too costly to use with existing prison populations. Probation should be used more for retarded offenders. They could be gradually shifted from the justice system to the mental health area where they could receive needed ongoing supervision. The cultural bias inherent in IQ testing needs further examination in efforts to explore the relationships among mental retardation minority groups, and criminality. Seven references are provided.