NCJ Number
96910
Date Published
1984
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This report notes that a major definitional problem surrounds the issue of mentally ill offenders in Maryland, discusses the increases in the number of mentally ill persons in jails and prisons during the last 5 years, identifies the inadequacies of community services for mentally ill offenders in the State, and presents recommendations for developing an effective policy to address the problems of these offenders.
Abstract
The recommendations are divided into the following categories: improving community treatment for mentally ill improving community treatment for mentally ill offenders, outpatient civil commitment, improving procedures for pretrial screening for competency to stand trial, mentally ill women offenders, mentally ill juvenile delinquents, improving understanding of mentally ill offenders, and training for law enforcement and corrections personnel. Among the recommendations are that (1) the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene should develop and test the effectiveness of mobile crises/treatment units in Baltimore City and at least one other jurisdiction in the state, (2) the Attorney General should evaluate the potential of existing statutes, (3) the Division of Correction (DOC) should develop a multipurpose long-term care facility to provide housing and services for mentally ill offenders, and (4) the Police and Correctional Training Commissions should require annual inservice training for law enforcement and correctional personnel on topics relevant to the mentally ill offender.