NCJ Number
28342
Date Published
1975
Length
141 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHOR, AN EXPERIENCED COURT PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTANT IN MURDER CASES, EXAMINES THE ROLE OF MENTAL ILLNESS AS A CAUSAL FACTOR IN MURDER, AND THE HANDLING OF MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS BY COURTS AND CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
THE PHENOMENON OF MURDER, IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD, IS EXAMINED. SOCIAL FACTORS AND CORRELATES ARE DISCUSSED. THE ROLES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN MURDER ARE EXAMINED, AND SEVERAL CASE HISTORIES ARE PRESENTED AS ILLUSTRATIONS. THE CORRECTIONS PROCESS IS SEEN TO PROVIDE LITTLE OR NO TREATMENT TO MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS - MERELY RETURNING THEM TO SOCIETY WITH THE SAME, OR AGGRAVATED, PROBLEMS WHICH LED TO THEIR REMOVAL. 'INSANITY' IS CONDEMNED AS A LEGAL RATHER THAN MEDICAL TERM MUCH IN NEED OF REVISION.