Criminalization of the Mentally II Chapter 3 Exam 2

Parens Patriae

A doctorine allowing the state to intervene in a citzen’s life to provide protection and treatment based on their condition.

What are the Deinstitutionalization Eras (name them all)

• 1946: Truman signs the Mental Health Act creating NIMH

• 1963: Kennedy signs the Community Mental Act to fund communtiy-based support

• 1965: Johnson signs a bill to shift 50% MH costs to federal budget (institution populations drop 75% over the 15 years)

What did deinstitutionalization cause?

Moved more mentally ill people into the community (the general public) without adequate support structures

What has the patients rights movements caused?

Fewer people hospitalized involuntarily so they stayed in the community untreated with no hospital at all.

What occurred when more mentally ill people were in the community?

1. Refusal of treatment or treatment was not available

2. Community tolerance of mental illness didn’t change much

3. The image of the mentally ill was seen as ‘‘dangerous’’

4. Members of the public are more likely to call the police to deal with mentally ill person they see as potentially dangerous

What do police officers lack when it comes to dealing with a mentally ill person?

Training to recognize mental illnesses, viewing behaviors as willful non-compliance, and not knowing how to de-escalate situations.

What does transinstitutionalization mean?

Refers to the movement of the mentally ill from mental hospitals to jails and prisons due to inadequate community treatment and funding

What reccomondations does Teplin give to improve the system for mentally ill people?

1. Training: improved police training for recognizing and handling mental health crisis

2. Legal standards: Apply least restrictive alternative to arrested mentally ill persons

3. Systemic reform: Treatment systems need to eliminate or reduce the gaps in the system that allows ppl to fall through. Modes of care other than hospitalization need to be available for police referral.

Who is Teplin?

A researcher focused on the intersection of mental health and criminal justice, known for her recommendations on improving police interactions with mentally ill individuals.

What is dangerous?

• Risk: The likelihood that a person will do something harmful

• Harm: The level of harm that would result from the person’s act (e.g. spitting on someone versus detonating a bomb on a plane)

Are mentally ill people dangerous?

No, but they are protrayed so in person so people believe that they’re

What is the MOST important factor in accurately predicting violence

Base rate, which is the 1. prevalence (how common it is) of an event 2. in a population 3. over the specified amount of time.

What is risk management?

Assessments that identify areas that the person needs help with that may lower their risk of harm to themselves or others.

What did MacArther Study say about Violence? What does it predict about it (5 things)

1. Enviornment: A lot of violence among the mentally ill is because of they live in poverty and there are high crime rates

2. Delusions do not predict violence

3. Hallucinations: command hallucinations involving violent acts, but not others

4. Violent thoughts: including imagined violence against others

5. Anger: Chronic and poorly controlled anger