PSYCHIATRIC APPROACHES TO THE MENTALLY ILL FEDERAL OFFENDER

• NCJ Number: 5951
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1966) Pages: 23-29
• Author(s): C E SMITH
• Date Published: 1966
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SURVEY OF FEDERAL PRISONERS SHOWED THAT 15 PERCENT OF 500 CONSECUTIVE COMMITMENTS HAD SOME RECOGNIZABLE MENTAL DISORDER AND WERE IN NEED OF PROPER CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.

Abstract

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO BE ADJUDGED LEGALLY COMPETENT FOR TRIAL WHILE STILL SO MENTALLY ILL AS TO REQUIRE TREATMENT AND EVEN COMMITMENT TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL. THERE ARE PROVISIONS FOR DEALING WITH INCOMPETENCY UNDISCLOSED AT TRIAL. IN THE FEDERAL PRISONS NEWLY COMMITTED PERSONS ARE THOROUGHLY STUDIED BY TRAINED CASEWORKERS AND UNDERGO EXTENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATION. IF THE EXAMINATION REVEALS THE PRISONER TO BE OF UNSOUND MIND IT IS MANDATORY THAT A BOARD OF PSYCHIATRIC EXAMINERS INQUIRE INTO THE PROBABLE STATE OF HIS COMPETENCY AT THE TIME OF TRIAL.