Mental Illness and Criminal Behavior - 1486 Words

Mental illness and Criminal Behavior Mental illness and insanity defenses have remained highly controversial topics throughout history. You may have heard of John Hinckley, the man who shot and killed President Reagan, and was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and was instead sent to a psychiatric institute. Some would argue that mental illness is a disease that should be treated as such and that it inhibits an individual from distinguishing right from wrong, while others would argue that â€Å"the issue of right and wrong should not be the guiding principle to determine sanity† (Paqeutte). Many medical professionals study these types of diseases to determine whether or not this makes criminal behavior more likely in a mentally ill†¦show more content†¦Shouldn’t a mentally ill individual who commits a crime get the same treatment that a â€Å"healthy† individual gets? That would seem â€Å"only fair†. When an individual pleads â€Å"not gui lty by reason of insanity† he or she is acquitted and institutionalized with the chance of release if he or she is declared â€Å"no longer mentally ill.† One article very strongly against the idea of the insanity plea states that â€Å"psychiatry has undermined justice in the United States by justifying criminality† (Valentine). The same article states that this has â€Å"justified crime.† An interesting argument to be made, one could potentially get an easier sentence, not in prison but in a special hospital and have the potential to be released when deemed â€Å"not mentally ill.† In the 1700’s courts would use the â€Å"wild beast† test to determine whether or not an individual was sane or insane. If proven insane the individual would be looked at as â€Å"no more than an infant† (Hucker). Today, we test for insanity using the American Law Institutes’ test which was adopted by the Supreme Court of California in 1978 w hich states â€Å"A person is not responsible for criminal conduct if at the time of such conduct as a result of mental disease or defect he lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the criminality [wrongfulness] of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law.† In conclusion each side of this spectrum holds merit and each has many argumentsShow MoreRelatedMental Disorders And Criminal Behavior1293 Words   |  6 Pages Running head: MENTAL DISORDERS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR Mental Disorders and Criminal Behavior Courtney Edwards Thomas University Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to provide information on the distinct types of mental illnesses as they correlate with criminal behavior. There are so many disorders in which exist in today’s society. These include: schizophrenia, delusional disorders, bipolar disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and so much more. Through compulsive researchRead MoreBrain : Brain And Behavior995 Words   |  4 Pages Brain Dysfunction in Criminal Behavior Catherine Vivi CRJ 308 Instructor: Stephanie Myers November 2, 2015â€Æ' Brain Dysfunction in Criminal Behavior It may be possible that with the addition of negative environmental experiences criminal behavior develops and that without such negative environmental experiences a biological tendency may never otherwise transform into criminal behavior. In Criminal psychology, the author states, â€Å"Psychopathy is a personality disorder that is characterized by aRead MoreCriminalization Of The Mentally Ill1486 Words   |  6 Pagesprison system, it is important to know the history of mental illness in the prison system. In1841, Dorothea Dix began her Asylum Movement. 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Moreover, offenders who have been released into the community’s care have been granted such measures through revocation of supervision ordersRead MoreWhy People Commit Crimes1403 Words   |  6 Pagespoints of view of what is criminal behavior. Of course, each person has it own opinion. Crime is the human conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a state, the federal government, or a local jurisdiction that has the power to make such laws, according with Schmalleger. The criminal behavior is the antisocial acts that a person commits for different reasons. This means that the person violated laws cons tantly for a long or short time period. There are many reasons why criminals commit crimes. SomeRead MoreThe Medicalization of Deviance and Overview of Mental Health Courts1716 Words   |  7 Pagesexpanded as medicine has become the main response to deviance through the use of therapeutic social control. Medicalization is referenced to in criminal justice as one of the ways of explaining deviance and is used to determine the responsibility of an offender. Deviance characterizes behaviors and actions that violate social norms and is seen as having an illness or a disease needing treatment. Therapeutic social control uses medicine and science as a treatment of deviance. Medicalization of devianceRead MoreCriminology and Physical or Mental Illness631 Words   |  3 PagesCriminology and Physical or Mental Illness Crime Crime is seen as any deviant act that is dangerous or harmful socially and is considered to be prohibited and punishable under laws of crime(Siegel, 2007). Deviant behavior includes a wide range of behaviors which are considered to be out of line with the social norms in a given society. It is deduced from this definition that criminal acts are deviant which a society considers harmful to them and prohibits them(Siegel, 2007). 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Many people across the nation, and even in other countries around the world, are demanding answers to an outstanding number of questions. Why did these tragic events occur? Why do these tragic events continue to occur? Why is it that whenever a mass shooting occurs the suspect claims insanity? What is insanity? Are they telling the truth orRead More The Insanity Defense Essay1269 Words   |  6 Pagesinjuries. The Hinckley case is a classic example of the not guilty by reason of insanity case (NGRI). The criminal justice system under which all men and women are tried holds a concept called mens rea, a Latin phrase that means state of mind. According to this concept, Hinckley committed his crime oblivious of the wrongfulness of his action. A mentally challenged person, including one with mental retardation, who cannot distinguish between right and wrong is protected and exempted by the court of