Offenders, Deviants, or Patients? An Introduction to the Study of Socio-Forensic Problems

• NCJ Number: 82450
• Author(s): H Prins
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 375 pages
• Sale Source: Tavistock Publications Ltd
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This book addresses several aspects of the relationship between mental disorder and criminality from a clinical and judicial point of view; the concept of criminal responsibility is discussed in terms of British Law.

Abstract

An examination of general issues of criminal responsibility and of the problematic relationship between mental disorder and criminality is followed by detailed consideration of some particular offender/patient groups. Particular attention is paid to the psychopath; the sexual offender; the arsonist; and the relationship between alcohol, drug abuse, and crime. Separate chapters are devoted to the problems involved in assessing dangerous behavior and to the consideration of female offenders who manifest substantial signs of emotional and mental instability. The book concludes with proposals for reform of the present system of dealing with offenders/patients, particularly concerning the role of special hospitals. Social workers, attorneys, law enforcement officers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and corrections administrators will find the text applicable to their professions. Two indexes, notes, extensive chapter references, and suggested readings are provided. (Author summary modified)