NCJ Number
112676
Journal
Arkansas Law Review Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: (1988) Pages: 809-860
Date Published
1988
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This article examines some of the causes and consequences of problems faced by mentally retarded (MR) offenders in the criminal justice system and suggests improvements in placement and treatment decisions for this population, with particular attention to Florida's alternative treatment and placement facilities for such offenders.
Abstract
After identifying problems in studying MR offenders, the article presents demographic data and group characteristics related to background and personality factors. Legal considerations in issues and practices particularly problematic for MR offenders are discussed as well. Other topics addressed are the characteristics of MR offenders within prison systems and legal issues and precedents concerning the rights of MR offenders in the criminal justice system. One section of the article reviews the issue of whether aspects of the juvenile justice system can be grafted onto the adult system to provide potentially effective alternatives for corrections personnel in placing and treating MR offenders. Of the two alternative treatment and placement facilities in Florida which specialize in services for MR offenders, one is a model for the treatment of juvenile offenders. 232 footnotes.