Forensic Psychology - Week 9

Flashcards about Crime and Mental Health in Australia

International Evidence

Mental health difficulties are significantly more common in forensic populations than in the general population.

The Lancet Psychiatry Review

Prisoners have disproportionately high rates of psychiatric disorders compared to the general population.

Australian Evidence

There is evidence to support this assertion at all stages of the criminal justice procedure in Australia.

Yee et al. (2024) Systematic Review

A systematic review found high rates of mental illness in Australian and New Zealand prisons, with evidence suggesting an increasing prevalence of psychosis over time.

Mental Health and Age in Australian Prisons (2022)

Aged 25–34 were most likely to report a mental health condition (54%) at some stage of their lives.

Mental Health and Gender in Australian Prisons (2022)

Female prison entrants (63%) were more likely than male prison entrants (49%) to report a mental health condition.

Mental Health and Indigeneity in Australian Prisons (2022)

Non-Indigenous prison entrants (60%) were more likely to report a mental health condition than First Nations prison entrants (42%).

Halle et al. (2020) Study Results

Results of a study suggesting no major differences in crime rates, no strong link between mental illness and specific crime types, and no difference in aggression levels.

Key Takeaways

Prevalence of mental health conditions differ across different cohorts; there are different reasons why prevalence and data can differ.

Korobanova et al. (2021) Australian Prison Survey Finding

62.9% of prisoners reported a lifetime diagnosis of at least one mental disorder.

Korobanova et al. (2021) Australian Prison Survey Finding

41.3% of prisoners had two or more co-occurring mental health conditions.

Korobanova et al. (2021) Australian Prison Survey Finding

49.8% screened positive for current symptoms of mental health, indicating ongoing needs rather than historical diagnoses.

Korobanova et al. (2021) Australian Prison Survey Finding

Women were more likely to have multiple diagnoses than men (60.8% vs. 39.8%).

Korobanova et al. (2021) Gender Differences

Women had significantly higher rates of nearly all mental health conditions compared to men.

Mental health conditions link to offenses

Some studies have shown that individuals with a major mental health diagnosis in tandem with comorbid alcohol use have a 4 times increase of risk to commit crime or violence.

Mental health, Substance Usage and Crime

Individuals with(AOD) use had more arrests over their lifetime than individuals with schizophrenia, personality disorders, or affective disorders.

Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (2024)

Drug dealing and property crimes were the most commonly reported criminal activities among illicit drug users.

Special Considerations regarding Self-Reported Data

May be inaccurate due to recall bias, stigma, or tools not designed for forensic settings.

General population of First Nations people

First Nations people make up a small proportion (3.8%) of the Australian population but are making up 32% of the total prison population.

The overrepresentation is linked

Historical and systemic factors, including Colonisation and dispossession of land (ALRC, 2018), Intergenerational trauma and Stolen Generations policies, Racism, bias, and cultural insensitivity in the legal system (Aboriginal Justice Victoria, 2022)

Indigenous Australians and Forensic Mental Health

66% of men and 80% of women in NSW prisons reported a diagnosis of mental illness (Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, 2015).

However

Indigenous Australians face significant challenges: Biases in the legal and forensic mental health systems, less diversion even when clinically eligible (Soon et al., 2018). Underrepresentation in forensic mental health settings despite overrepresentation in prison (ABS, 2020)

Indigenous-led initiatives and solutions

Provide place-based, holistic, and intensive support to young people, address the root causes of crime while also improving access to essential services such as healthcare, education, housing, and social welfare.

Evidence suggests

Indigenous-led programs improve treatment engagement and mental health resilience (Burgess & Morrison, 2020). Connection to Country reduces mental illness rates by 50% in Indigenous populations (Garnett & Sithole, 2020).

Holistic mental health care must integrate

Integrate Social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) (National Strategic Framework, 2020), Cultural identity and connection to Country (Garnett & Sithole, 2020), Community-led healing and Elders' involvement (Burgess & Morrison, 2020)

Culturally competent clinician

That experiences are not always universal, distinguish between whether presentation is due to pathological or normative behaviours, possesses awareness, knowledge and skill

General Youth

Mental health disorders contribute to justice involvement, and the justice system often worsens these conditions.

Challenges

There are Unmet mental health needs of justice-involved youth, Ineffective rehabilitation m odels that fail to reduce recidivism , Detention is particularly harmful for youth with mental illness, cognitive disabilities, and traum a histories (Arm ytage & Ogloff, 2017; RC PDC NT, 2017).

Additional Risk Factors

Justice-involved youth are more likely to have experienced: Socioeconom ic disadvantage & fam ily incarceration (AIHW, 2020; Baidawi & Sheehan, 2019). Low education participation & unemployment (Binswanger et al., 2011; Baldry et al., 2006).

What are diversion programs

Redirect individuals with m ental health conditions away from the crim inal justice system and into treatm ent.

Eligibility of Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) Program

Adults with demonstrable illicit drug or alcohol problems, who are suitable for release on bail and motivated to engage in treatment.

Assessment of Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) Program

Upon referral, participants undergo a comprehensive assessment by health professionals to determine appropriate treatment plans.

Mental Health Court Programs Reduce Reoffending

A 2024 by Soon and colleagues (2024) study examined 2,476 individuals eligible for Mental Health Court Diversion through the Statewide Community and Court Liaison Service (SCCLS) in NSW, Australia.

Culturally Responsive Programs

That culturally responsive diversion programs are effective because they provide place-based, holistic, and intensive support to young people.

Current Status: Mental health in the criminal justice system

A significant portion of individuals in the criminal justice system struggle with mental health difficulties

The cost of incarceration

It costs $422 per prisoner per day, or $153,895 per adult prisoner per year in Australia (Productivity Com m ission, 2024).

Early Intervention Models

Programs focusing on early mental health intervention can reduce the likelihood of individuals entering the criminal justice system.

Community-Based Programs

Initiatives like court liaison services aim to identify and divert individuals with mental health issues away from incarceration.

What else can be done

Early Intervention, Integrated Health Care Models, Media Representation of Mental Health and Crime.