ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO THE VIOLENT CRIMINAL

• NCJ Number: 60958
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 11-20
• Author(s): B L DANTO
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Assoc for Psychiatric Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

INTENDED FOR DOCTORS AND CORRECTIONS PROFESSIONALS, THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES METHODS OF DEALING WITH VIOLENT CRIMINALS AND SUGGESTS REHABILITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH VIOLENT CRIME IS INCREASING, PSYCHIATRISTS CAN NEITHER DEFINE THE CRIMINAL'S PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG SOCIAL AND HEREDITARY FACTORS NOR ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR INSANITY. THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM UNDERSTANDS AND REHABILITATES OFFENDERS LITTLE BETTER, AS ONE-THIRD OF ALL DISCHARGED INMATES RETURN TO PRISON WITHIN 5 YEARS, PRISON SUICIDES ARE ABNORMALLY FREQUENT, AND PRISON STAFF ARE POORLY TRAINED AND MOTIVATED. A VIOLENT MURDERER'S CASE HISTORY CONFIRMS THAT IMPRISONING SUCH PEOPLE DOES NOT EVOKE CHANGE AND SUGGESTS THAT PRESENT STANDARDS OF JUDGING INSANITY ARE INADEQUATE; HOWEVER, SINCE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT DOES NOT DETER CRIME, IS INHUMANE, AND DESTROYS SUBJECTS FOR CRIMINAL VIOLENCE RESEARCH, IT IS REJECTED. A STUDY OF GEORGIA PSYCHIATRISTS FOUND THAT, THE MAJORITY FELT CRIMINALS DO NOT ANTICIPATE CONSEQUENCES AND HENCE ARE NOT DETERRED BY EXECUTIONS. STILL SOME FAVORED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS A MEANS TO ELIMINATE VIOLENT CRIMINALS. PUBLIC OPINION POLLS AND A MARKED DROP IN EXECUTIONS IN RECENT YEARS SHOW FURTHER DISENCHANTMENT WITH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. STATE-INDUCED SUICIDE BY CRIMINALS IS ALSO REJECTED AS MERELY CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN DISGUISE. LONG SENTENCES ARE SUGGESTED AS THE ONLY HUMANE TREATMENT FOR VIOLENT OFFENDERS; THEY BUY TIME FOR CRIMINALS TO BURN OUT THEIR VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE AGE OR FOR MEDICAL AND CORRECTIONAL SCIENCE TO ADVANCE. HOPE IS ALLEGED TO LIE IN RESEARCH, PSYCHIATRY, AND MORE HUMANE PRISON CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY BETTER COMFORTS, EASIER RELATIONS BETWEEN INMATES AND PRISONERS, AND GREATER INDEPENDENCE FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR. PSYCHIATRISTS MUST WORK WITH CORRECTIONS PROFESSIONALS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VIOLENT CRIMINALS, AND REHABILITATION SHOULD AIM TO REPLACE VIOLENCE WITH SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR AND RESPECT FOR LIFE. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)