NCJ Number
16931
Date Published
1973
Length
114 pages
Annotation
CONCLUDES THAT BOTH JUVENILE AND ADULT MENTALLY DISORDER INDIVIDUALS IMPOSE A BURDEN ON LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT COULD BE REDUCED, IF THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED BY MORE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES.
Abstract
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY WAS TO DETERMINE THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE PROCEDURES AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO POLICE OFFICERS IN HANDLING MENTALLY DISORDERED INDIVIDUALS, AND THE REASONS FOR PROCESSING INDIVIDUALS EITHER THROUGH THE PENAL OR THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM. A SECOND OBJECTIVE WAS TO ASCERTAIN IF THERE WERE ANY CHARACTERISTICS ABOUT INDIVIDUALS OR EVENTS THAT WOULD ALLOW A PREDICTION OF THE SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH THE MENTALLY DISORDERED INDIVIDUALS WOULD BE PROCESSED. A THIRD OBJECTIVE WAS TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF MENTALLY DISORDERED ADULTS AND JUVENILES ON THE PENAL AND PROBATION SYSTEMS. A FINAL OBJECTIVE WAS TO CONSIDER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING SYSTEMS ON SERVICE TO SOCIETY AND PROVIDING HELP FOR MENTALLY DISORDERED INDIVIDUALS, AND TO RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCEDURES. THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF A PENAL MODEL AND TWO MENTAL HEALTH MODELS ARE INCLUDED.