PSYCHIATRY AND THE DANGEROUS SEXUAL OFFENDER

• NCJ Number: 57599
• Journal: CANADIAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION JOURNAL Volume: 22 Dated: (1977) Pages: 155-159
• Author(s): C Greenland
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Canadian Psychiatric Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: PRESENTED TO THE ONTARIO PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION MEETING, JANUARY, 1977 SUMMARY IN FRENCH

Annotation

THIS BRIEF PRESENTATION DESCRIBES THE EXTENT AND QUALITY OF PSYCHIATRIC INTERVENTION IN RELATION TO DANGEROUS SEXUAL OFFENDERS (DSO'S) IN ONTARIO AND BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.

Abstract

UNDERTAKEN FOR THE CANADIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION, THE STUDY REVEALS THAT ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF DSO'S THREATEN OR ACTUALLY ENDANGER THE LIFE OF THE VICTIM. THE ROLE OF PSYCHIATRISTS EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO SECURE AN INDETERMINATE SENTENCE IS DESCRIBED. MOST DID NOT DECLARE THEIR ROLE AS DOUBLE-AGENTS. IN THEIR TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COURTS, THEY FAILED TO DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN FACT AND PERSONAL OPINION, AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL PREJUDICES OFTEN SURFACED. THE LIFE OF DSO'S IN CANADIAN PENITENTIARIES IS LIKELY TO BE BRUTAL. FOUR HAVE BEEN MURDERED WHILE IN CUSTODY AND OTHERS HAVE ATTEMPTED OR COMMITTED SUICIDES. IT IS UNETHICAL FOR PSYCHIATRISTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROCEDURE CAUSING HARM OR DEATH TO AN INDIVIDUAL. THEREFORE, THE CANADIAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION IS URGED TO SUPPORT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S CONDEMNATION OF THE PRESENT DSO LEGISLATION AND IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PSYCHIATRISTS NOT COLLABORATE IN DSO CASES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MJW)