NCJ Number
37319
Date Published
1975
Length
346 pages
Annotation
REPORT OF A BRITISH COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH MENTAL ABERRATIONS SHOULD AFFECT THE CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF THE ACCUSED AND TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE TREATMENT CHANGES IN PRISONS, HOSPITALS, AND COMMUNITIES.
Abstract
AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER OUTLINES THE COMMITTEE' S THREE YEAR HISTORY AND DEFINES TERMS OF REFERENCE LIMITING THE COMMITTEE'S FIELD OF INQUIRY. SUBSEQUENT CHAPTERS INVESTIGATE EXISTING TREATMENT FACILITIES, PROBLEMS WITH PRESENT TREATMENT ARRANGEMENTS, AND TREATMENT OF DANGEROUS MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS AND PSYCHOPATHS AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF TREATMENT FOR THOSE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. OTHER CHAPTERS DISCUSS DISCHARGE, AFTERCARE, PRETRIAL ACTION, DISABILITY IN RELATION TO THE TRIAL, MEDICAL AND SOCIAL INQUIRY TO THE COURTS, REMANDS TO THE HOSPITAL, AND COURT DECISIONS. IN ADDITION, OTHER TOPICS ADDRESSED INCLUDE HOSPITAL, GUARDIANSHIP, AND PSYCHIATRIC PROBATION ORDERS; JUVENILE TREATMENT PROVISIONS; THE SPECIAL VERDICT; DIMINISHED RESPONSIBILITY AND INFANTICIDE; AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COOPERATIVE FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES. APPENDIXES CONTAIN LISTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND EVIDENCE SOURCES, EXTRACTS FROM RELATED GOVERNMENT AND INDEPENDENT STUDIES, NOTES ON THE DEFINITION OF SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, AND A TABLE DOCUMENTING THE USE OF THE SPECIAL VERDICT AND THE DEFENSE OF DIMINISHED RESPONSIBILITY. A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THE REPORT IS PROVIDED.