NCJ Number
90129
Journal
Journal of Psychiatry and Law Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1980) Pages: 457-464
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The interaction between psychiatry and the law often results in a plethora of conflicting opinions with little objective data.
Abstract
Psychiatrists can make a useful contribution to this problem by educating legislative and correctional personnel about the diagnosis and prognosis of many criminals. Current data suggest the following: (1) most male criminals are sociopaths; (2) there is no effective treatment for sociopathy; (3) sociopathic behavior shows noticeable spontaneous remission in the fourth and fifth decade; (4) the diagnosis of sociopathy is positively associated with recidivism in released male felons. (Publisher abstract)