NCJ Number
58112
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF CLINICAL CRIMINOLOGY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS OF FINLAND AND OTHER SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE TERM 'CLINICAL CRIMINOLOGY' IS RARELY USED IN SCANDINAVIA, PARTICULARLY IN FINLAND, WHERE INSTEAD THERE IS REFERENCE TO FORENSIC PSYCHIATRISTS, WHO EXAMINE OFFENDERS IN CONNECTION WITH COURT TRIALS; TO CRIMINAL PSYCHIATRISTS, WHO INVESTIGATE CRIME AND OFFENDERS IN GENERAL; AND TO PRISON PSYCHIATRISTS, WHO TREAT INMATES. THE SCOPE OF CLINICAL CRIMINOLOGY IN FINLAND ENCOMPASSES BOTH EXAMINATIONS (MENTAL CONDITION OF DEFENDANTS, APPROPRIATE TREATMENT FOR VIOLENT RECIDIVISTS AND FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, PLACEMENT FOR OFFENDERS JUDGED CRIMINALLY IRRESPONSIBLE), AND TREATMENT (OF CRIMINALLY IRRESPONSIBLE PATIENTS AND OF PRISONERS ASSIGNED TO PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES). THE ROLE OF CLINICAL CRIMINOLOGY IN SCANDINAVIA HAS VARIED FROM TIME TO TIME, REFLECTING FLUCTUATIONS IN PENOLOGICAL IDEOLOGY. IN THE 1970'S, THE TREND HAS BEEN AWAY FROM A TREATMENT ORIENTATION AS LEGISLATURES INTRODUCE REFORMS TO ASSURE LEGAL SAFEGUARDS FOR OFFENDERS WHO ARE JUDGED DANGEROUS OR ABNORMAL. FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY RARELY ENTERS THE REALM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY, BUT PSYCHIATRISTS OFTEN PLAY A DECISIVE ROLE IN INDIVIDUAL CASES AND SITUATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIST'S ROLE GOES BEYOND OFFICIAL DUTIES TO ENCOMPASS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HELPING TO MAKE PRISONS MORE HUMANE. THE CAUSE OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH WOULD BE ADVANCED BY GREATER COOPERATION BETWEEN SOCIOLOGICALLY ORIENTED CRIMINOLOGISTS AND CLINICAL CRIMINOLOGISTS IN CLARIFYING THEIR DIVISION OF LABOR. THE FORMER ARE CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH SOCIAL FACTORS (UNEMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, ETC.) THAT AFFECT THE LEVEL AND TREND OF CRIMINALITY, WHILE LATTER ARE INTERESTED IN INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL FACTORS (E.G., VERBAL SKILLS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA) THAT DETERMINE WHO BECOMES AN OFFENDER. (LKM)