Issues in the Law: The Insanity Defense Applied to the Indigent Defendant Introduction In United States, an increasing number of mentally ill individuals are criminally prosecuted through the justice system, making it appear as though federal and state correctional institutions are being used as the 21st century’s version of psychiatric hospitals. Yet the government of the United States affords some special considerations for mentally ill individuals that are facing prosecution for their accused crimes. For instance, guilt is determined differently for those with severe mental illnesses through the insanity defense. Throughout this paper, I will examine the insanity defense and the complications it may present for impoverished defendants,
Criminal Justice Movie Myths and Realities When it comes to upholding the law we classify it as Criminal Justice. Criminal Justice is the system of departments and practices that are directed towards mitigating crime, social control and deterring persons who violate the laws with the issuance of criminal penalties and rehabilitation methods. For centuries we have had an evolution in Criminal Justice going as far back as ancient history to today’s modern time. Today with the influence of media and entertainment we are able to depict a perception of the criminal justice system based on cases, laws and true stories about victims. But the questions that arise: Based on the influence of movies or T.V.
In the movie “The Snake Pit” the main character Virginia Cunningham apparently suffers from some mental breakdown and is involuntarily committed to a mental health facility where she is treated with electroconvulsive shock treatments, physical restraints and sedation. In the movie “The Soloist”, the main character, Nathaniel Ayers is a middle age man apparently suffering from Schizophrenia. The unrelenting voices in his head torment him. He has been chronically homeless, estranged from his family and vulnerable for decades. One could argue that Mrs. Cunningham was in a safe environment albeit dank, dreary and prison-like, but she was “protected” from harm during this most difficult time in her life.
I. Explain the purpose and provisions of the Mental Health Act. ‘The Mental Health Act is the law under which someone can be admitted, detained and treated in hospital against their wishes’. http://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/mental-health-laws/mental-health-act-1983 The main purpose of the Mental Health Act is to safeguard a person who is at risk of harming themselves or others. This act allows the detention of such a person in a facility with or without their consent.
Asylums Natasha Patterson 800266637 Psych 431-001 Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville Mondale and Patton (1988) show us that there is an ardent yet balanced plea for the asylums as a haven for those who were mentally ill. This historical view of the “The Asylum” illustrates the history of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, DC. Elements of Mondale and Patton (1988) documentary present the historical events of St. Elizabeth through the eyes of the patients, the workers, reformers, and the public. The two historians debate their disagreements about the pros and cons of mental hospitals for the mentally ill. Treatments for the mentally ill are depicted as well as the role which psychoanalytic and psychoanalysis contributions and ideas are seen in the history of the asylum.
More than one of the doctors that Andrea Yates has seen, sees a sick person which they view her. Yates had been diagnosed with several disorders and among them was postnatal psychosis. Postnatal disorders can be as short lasting as “baby blues”, to postnatal depression, to psychosis. The three categories branches from postpartum psychiatric illness. About 85% of women suffer with some sort of mood disturbance after giving birth to a child.
Ms. Bobbitt stated this evoked memories of years of abuse and walked into the bedroom where John was sleeping and cut off almost half of penis. During the trail Ms. Bobbitt’s defense claimed she suffered from clinical depression and she was acquitted. She underwent 45 days of psychiatric evaluation and then was released. 4. Jeffrey Dahmer was serial killer and sex offender in 1991.
The article provides a vignette of the challenges and dilemmas that a new social worker faces while running a group therapy on an inpatient unit of a psychiatric hospital. This social worker became very frustrated when she realized there were many challenges she was facing. Some of these challenges were patients poorly attending this group therapy, the patients were unmotivated, and would wander in and out frequently. This vignette provides a scenario of the challenges that group practitioners face. The purpose of this article is to illustrate guidelines that could be helpful for practitioners when facing dilemmas and issues while developing a group therapy program.
Mentally Ill Offenders/Problem-solving courts The Released: what did we learn from this film? What is the prevalence of serious mental illness in jails/prisons? What difficulties can mentally ill offenders face when released from prison? What are problem-solving courts? How do they differ from regular courts and what benefits might they offer?
This essay is a reflective case study of the movie “A beautiful mind”. First of all it will discuss briefly about the movie and then define the schizophrenia and it’s manifestation in conjunction with the types and treatment options. This essay also identifies the stigma and prejudice associated with it. In the end it will highlight the ethical issues associated with it and key recommendations associated with the disease. A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 American biographical drama film.