Assessing Treatability in Mentally Disordered Offenders

• NCJ Number: 117125
• Journal: Law and Human Behavior Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (1989) Pages: 19-29
• Author(s): R Rogers; C D Webster
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article focuses on treatability of mentally disordered patients within the criminal justice system.

Abstract

Treatability refers to the clinical determination of which patients under what treatment modalities and environmental conditions will respond most favorably. Unfortunately, research literature on treatability of forensic patients is sparse and fragmented. Recent studies include an assessment of treatability by Quinsey and Maguire that, along with earlier studies, indicate a wide degree of variability among forensic clinicians in making treatment recommendations. In the complicated and inexact process of assessment of treatability, psychologists must address diagnostic and motivational issues, assess the strengths and assets of individuals, and determine their treatment needs based on available resources. This process is further compounded with a forensic context by four additional factors: (1) patients are not self-referred, (2) treatment must take into account the expectations of the criminal justice system, (3) legal constraints are frequently imposed upon the treatment process in the form of court or probation orders, and (4) resources are generally more limited for forensic than nonforensic patients. Recommendations of treatability often include detailed conditions under which treatment should be offered, such as type of residence or obtaining stable employment. However, these preconditions of therapy may be confused with the goals of therapy. Issues that must be addressed in examining treatment needs of mentally disordered offenders include (1) making cross-situational predictions, (2) determining the relationship, if any, between the mental disorder and criminal behavior, and (3) establishing the likelihood of treatment compliance, favorable treatment response, and the availability at some future date of recommended interventions. 3 tables and 56 references. (Author abstract modified)