NCJ Number
39004
Date Published
1976
Length
94 pages
Annotation
STUDY DRAWS CONCLUSIONS FROM SURVEY AND RESEARCH ON INCARCERATED MENTALLY RETARDED AND PROJECT METHODS TO AID AND ENSURE THEIR RIGHTS.
Abstract
INCARCERATED MENTALLY RETARDED OFFENDERS ARE GENERALLY OLDER THAN OTHER OFFENDERS. THEY AVERAGE TWO TO THREE YEARS LESS FORMAL EDUCATION. TWO-THIRDS OF ALL LAWYERS HAVE HAD NO TRAINING CONCERNING MENTAL RETARDATION. SIXTY-ONE PERCENT OF JUDGES BELIEVE THAT USING MENTAL RETARDATION AS A DEFENSE IS DETRIMENTAL BECAUSE IT CAN LEAD TO INDETERMINATE SENTENCES. THIS SAMPLE AND OTHER FINDINGS ARE COMPOUNDED IN THIS SURVEY WHICH RECOMMENDS NUMEROUS SERVICES CATERING TO THE MENTALLY RETARDED OFFENDER. AMONG THE MISSOURI ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE: INCREASED AFTERCARE; RETARDATION SPECIALISTS DOING THE COURT DIAGNOSES; PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS TRAINED IN MENTAL RETARDATION; AND STATEWIDE TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS, COURT PERSONNEL, AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS IN MENTAL RETARDATION AND ITS EFFECTS.