NCJ Number
128670
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: (December 1990) Pages: 213-221
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article discusses community supervision of mentally ill offenders from a legal and administrative perspective. The purpose of the supervision is to assist the welfare of the offender-patient and to protect the public from the high-risk and serious cases.
Abstract
The powers of discharge for the mentally ill offenders come from the Home Secretary under the Mental Health Act, section 42 and from the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT). Guidelines for professionals issued by the Department of Health and the Home Office prepare the offender patient for discharge usually to an ordinary psychiatric hospital or to a medium security facility as part of a process of transition into society. Clinical management requires good multidisciplinary team work with removal of established and entrenched territorial traditions. Attention to details, original offense, prior convictions, and an ability to exercise intrusive supervision and good counseling skills are important attributes for the supervisor together with knowledge about varieties of mental disorders. In addition, the social and psychiatric supervisor needs to understand his or her motivation for working with this group of people who have committed horrible and bizarre crimes. 16 references