Serious Mental Illness, Criminal Justice, and the Death Penalty

2020 ◽  
pp. 159-171
Author(s):  
Anna Scheyett ◽  
Katherine J. Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Death Penalty ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Community Members

This chapter addresses the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are at higher risk of involvement with the criminal justice system and at greater risk of more severe sentencing. Mental Health America estimates that 20% of persons on death row have a serious mental illness. Someone who was actively mentally ill at the time of a crime, but who has received treatment and is now stable, will proceed to trial as death eligible. This chapter holds that, as the majority of mental health professionals, social workers have a responsibility for educating lawmakers, community members, and those in the criminal justice system, as well as other practitioners about the multiple levels of injustice and inequity surrounding individuals with SMI and the criminal justice system. These issues range from inadequate and inconsistent treatment in the community, jails, and prisons to differential sentencing practices.

scholarly journals Psychiatric assessment and diversion schemes: problems associated with brief court reports

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 303-305
Author(s):  
Clare Chambers ◽  
Jane Gill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Specific Training ◽  
Psychiatric Assessment

Mental health professionals are becoming increasingly involved with the criminal justice system through their work in psychiatric assessment and diversion schemes. Preparation of reports for the courts requires knowledge of the legal system. Those preparing such reports need specific training for this work.

Case management helps prevent criminal justice recidivism for people with serious mental illness

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 168-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Leutwyler ◽  
Erin Hubbard ◽  
Elaine Zahnd
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Formerly Incarcerated ◽  
Community Reentry ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss how case management can decrease recidivism for people with serious mental illness (SMI) because people with SMI are at high risk for incarceration and recidivism. Design/methodology/approach Examples of successful case management models for formerly incarcerated individuals with SMI found through a secondary analysis of qualitative data and an analysis of the literature are presented. Findings Currently, no international, national, or statewide guidelines exist to ensure that formerly incarcerated individuals with SMI receive case management upon community reentry despite evidence that such services can prevent further criminal justice involvement. Recommendations include establishment of and evaluation of best practices for case management. In addition, the authors recommend additional funding for case management with the goal of greatly increasing the number of individuals with SMI leaving the criminal justice system in their ability to access adequate case management. Originality/value Providing effective case management tailored to the needs of formerly incarcerated people with SMI improves their quality of life and reduces their involvement in the criminal justice system with clear positive outcomes for public safety and public health.

The Cal-DSH diversion guidelines

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 701-713
Author(s):  
Michael A. Cummings ◽  
Charles Scott ◽  
Juan Carlos Arguello ◽  
Ai-Li W. Arias ◽  
Ashley M. Breth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Diversion Programs ◽  
Treatment Interventions

AbstractThe Cal-DSH Diversion Guidelines provide 10 general guidelines that jurisdictions should consider when developing diversion programs for individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) who become involved in the criminal justice system. Screening for SMI in a jail setting is reviewed. In addition, important treatment interventions for SMI and substance use disorders are highlighted with the need to address criminogenic risk factors highlighted.

Commentary on Alexander (1993)

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-390
Author(s):  
SETH C. KALICHMAN
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sexually Violent

This commentary on Alexander's article concerning civil commitment of sex offenders concludes that the failure of the mental health sciences to define the psychosexual pathology of sexually violent adults has resulted in an inability to address these disturbances in the criminal justice system. This situation will likely contribute to the social threats posed by sexual offenders. It is suggested that researchers work to establish the mental illness parameters of sexual violence.

Admissions to a national forensic hospital 1997-2003

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Wright ◽  
Conor O'Neill ◽  
Harry G Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Forensic Hospital ◽  
Resource Needs

AbstractObjectives: We set out to review all admissions from the criminal justice system to the Central Mental Hospital from January 1997 to December 2003, with particular attention to patient diagnoses, offences, source of admission, length of stay, and patterns of discharge. This study was undertaken to assist with future service planning and determination of resource needs.Methods: The service maintains a combination of electronic and handwritten records of all admissions. Information was extracted concerning all admissions from January 1, 1997 to December 30, 2003. The data was analysed using a statistical package, SPSS 11.0 for Windows.Results: Nine hundred and eighty-six admissions of 780 individuals from the criminal justice system were recorded from January 1997 to December 2003. There has been an increase in the proportion of patients admitted suffering with severe mental illness. There has also been a significant shift in the pattern of discharges, with a higher proportion of patients leaving to return to their local hospital. The proportion of admissions returned to prison has fallen from 91.1 % in 1999 to 64.7% in 2003, while 3.3% of individuals admitted became new long-stay cases.Conclusions: A shift in the profile of patients admitted in recent years reflects changes within the National Forensic Mental Health Service. An increased provision of regular and structured psychiatric input to the prisons has facilitated the identification of prisoners with mental illness. The shift from prison liaison to diversion from the Criminal Justice System to mental health services is however in its early stages.

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