NCJ Number
60930
Date Published
1975
Length
98 pages
Annotation
THESE ARTICLES ON SCHIZOPHRENICS AND THE LAW RECOUNT CASE HISTORIES OF PRISON EXPERIENCES, COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT OF THESE PERSONS AND ARGUES FOR AN ORTHOMOLECULAR APPROACH TO DEALING WITH THEM.
Abstract
THE PROBLEMS OF DEALING WITH SCHIZOPHRENICS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AS REPRESENTED IN THESE PAPERS, HAVE SEVERAL COMMON THEMES: (1) COURTS AND JURIES CANNOT MAKE FAIR JUDGMENTS ON CASES INVOLVING SCHIZOPHRENICS WITHOUT ACCESS TO RELIABLE PROGNOSES AND DIAGNOSES OF THE OFFENDERS' CONDITIONS; (2) THE LACK OF CLEAR STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES MAKES FAIR JUDGMENT AND TREATMENT DIFFICULT; AND (3) RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADVISING THE COURT AND JURY OF THE NATURE AND SEVERITY OF THE MENTAL DISTURBANCE MUST LIE WITH A SPECIFIED BODY. FURTHER COMPLICATING THE DILEMMA IN DEALING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIC OFFENDERS IS THE SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIATED BELIEF THAT SCHIZOPHRENICS ARE UNCURABLE AND THE TENDENCY OF ATTORNEYS TO AVOID ENTERING INSANITY PLEAS SINCE THE INDETERMINATE SENTENCE ACCOMPANYING A DECISION OF INSANITY IS LIKELY TO BE LONGER THAN THE SENTENCE IMPOSED IF THE INMATE IS FOUND GUILTY. THE SCHIZOPHRENIC OFFENDER FOUND GUILTY UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES OFTEN WILL RECEIVE LITTLE OR NO PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT. THE PAPERS MAINTAIN THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF TRAGEDIES RESULTING FROM INAPPROPRIATE HANDLING OF SCHIZOPHRENIC OFFENDERS COULD BE AVERTED IF A SYSTEM OF SCIENTIFIC DIAGNOSIS, EVALUATION, AND TREATMENT WERE ESTABLISHED. (RFC)