NCJ Number
81334
Journal
Law and Human Behavior Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (1981) Pages: 245-261
Date Published
1981
Length
17 pages
Annotation
To test the contention that pretrial hospitalization of mentally ill offenders has been increasing in recent years and that a number of abuses have been noted in connection with incompetency to stand trial, this study examined the processing of such defendants in Florida.
Abstract
The report is on 431 male felony defendants who were found incompetent to stand trial, hospitalized, and returned to court for a final disposition. Approximately one-half of those brought back to the court gained release to the community, with one-half continuing to be held in a hospital or a prison, and with 70 percent continuing in treatment in one setting or another. Disposition was significantly related to race, criminal history, severity of charges, and mental health professionals' recommendations. Offenders were found to have spent unnecessarily long periods of time in jail and in the hospital awaiting court processing, which raises questions about the fairness and efficiency of current procedures. Tabular data and 21 references are given. (Author abstract modified)