Criminology Essay - Mental Health and Crime By Jamal Hylton This work aims to demonstrate an understanding of mental health in relation to crime. Many offenders that come into contact with the Justice and rehabilitation services Service suffer from a mental health disorder which may be mental illness, psychopathic disorder, personality disorder, or disability or development of their mind. They may have various difficulties in their lives and may also present a risk of harm to both themselves and others. Quite frequently, offenders with mental health problems receive prison sentences as there is nowhere else to put them, or they receive community orders as they are not considered dangerous or requiring treatment (Jones et al, 1995). When mentally disordered offenders do come into contact with the Justice and rehabilitation services Service it is important that the prescribed guidelines are followed so that any condition is identified and assessed appropriately.

Those suspected to be suffering from a Mental Health disorder can be detained by the police under the Mental Health Act 1983 s136 and removed to a place of safety (Stone, 2003). Stone (2003) argues that mentally disordered offenders can no longer be ignored and considered merely a marginalised group as they were previously. They present a challenge to the agencies of the criminal justice system as they require management and supervision suitable to their needs that may be complex and require medical interventions from the health services, which requires justice and rehabilitation services officers to be aware of the appropriate legislation, services and the challenges they may face. This may include high level secure hospital care, medium secure supervisions, access to community facilities and inter agency collaborations.

However, there have been difficulties in accessing services,

shortages in bedspaces, and delays in responses for requests for information and assessments, which are obstacles for justice and rehabilitation services to significantly carry out their duty to mentally disordered offenders.

If services and assessments are unable to be suitably provided this can be detrimental and discriminating to offenders and could result in adverse effects from their own behaviour or in response to the Criminal Justice process. Research has shown other forms of discrimination, such as to offenders as the disproportionately high number of BME people and women that enter the mental health system due to

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discriminating policing methods, over-diagnosis, and over-exposure to forensic examinations respectively (Jones et al, 1995; Allen, 1984; in Stone, 2003).

Medical assessments and psychiatric reports can be required under PCC(S)A 2000 s11 if the Court is of the opinion that inquiries should be made into the offenders physical or mental condition (Stone, 2003). The Mental Health Act 1983 s35 allows the Court to remand defendants to a specific hospital so that their mental condition can be reported on (Stone, 2003). Section 36 of the Act allows the Crown Court to remand defendants to hospital for treatment of a mental disorder (Stone, 2003). Section 37 of the Act allows Hospital and Guardianship Orders whereby the defendant can be detained for treatment (Stone, 2003). These powers granted under the Mental Health Act 1983 are important so that offenders with mental disorders are assessed as soon as possible so that either diversion from the criminal justice system or sentencing disposals can be implanted appropriately.

Contact and

treatment with the relevant medical services can be made a condition of a Community Rehabilitation Order under PCC(S)A 2000 s.2 (Stone, 2003).

Depression can present itself in different forms and is characterised by symptoms of mood disorders and changes that can be triggered by feeling of dependency, a sense of inadequacy, a decrease in activity, sadness and pessimism.

These

symptoms can occur sporadically for short or frequent periods, or can be causes of other psychological disorders or symptoms. Three of the main types of depression are endogenous Depression; which is a result of physiological and psychological internal factors but not specific precipitating event which have caused it; Reactive Depression which results from events in ones life; and Bi-polar Depression which results from at least one manic episode and also major depressive symptoms (Reber, 2001, 188). Dual diagnosis - this is the term used to refer to individuals diagnosed with a psychotic illness whilst also being a substance misuser.

The term has been

extended to individuals that suffer from depression. People that come under the category of a dual diagnosis can tend to suffer from welfare, legal and social problems, as well as the standard medical, psychological and psychiatric problems. The substances used to relieve mental health problems can also exacerbate and cause mental health problems (Mind, 2004). Jones et al (1995) argues that alcohol use amongst mentally disordered offenders can increase the chance of them harming themselves and committing suicide.

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It is argued that social and behavioural interventions are significant interventions for those with mental health and alcohol related problems (Rassool, 2002). Supervision techniques of motivational interviewing can help build commitment to change and use of cognitive exercises can positively enhance thought processes, reasoning and problem solving (Miller Rollnick, 1992, in Delight, 1999).

Cognitive behavioural

interventions are a preferred method in criminal justice as they are significant in teaching offenders to unlearn negative thinking skills and to learn positive thinking skills through analysis of the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Criminality and triggers can be individualised through the needs related to an offenders thought processes, thought content, situations and circumstances to prevent negative modes of action (Chapman and Hough, 2001; McGuire and Priestly, 1995; Bonta, 2001).

Bibliography Bonta, J. (2001) Offender Rehabilitation: From Research to Practice, Canada: Public Works and Government Services. Burdett, K., Soloman, B., and Leek, Dr. (2000) Mentally Disordered Offenders Liaison Projects Watford and Stevenage: Evaluation Report Aug 1998-Dec 2000. Chapman, T., and Hough, M. (2001) Evidence Based Practice: A Guide to Effective Practice, HMIP Delight, S. (1999) Motivational Interviewing, Delight Training Services. Johns, A., Kroll, B., Pitts, J., and Taylor, A. (1995) Probation Practice, London: Pitman Publishing McGuire, J., and Priestly, P. (1995) Reviewing What Works: Past, Present and Future, in, McGuire, J. (Ed) (1995) What Works: Reducing Re-offending: Guidelines from Research and Practice, West Sussex: John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 3-33. Mind. (2004) Understanding dual diagnosis, Mind Publications: [Online Source] http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+dual+dia gnosis.htm

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Rassool, G. (2002) Treatment Strategies and Interventions, Dual Diagnosis pg, 134147, Blackwell Science Ltd. Reber, A., and Reber, E. (2001) The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology: 3 rd Edition, London: Penguin Group. Stone, N. (2003) A Companions Guide to Mentally Disordered Offenders: 2nd Edition, Crayford: Shaw and Sons.

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