The use of the insanity defense as a jail diversion mechanism for mentally ill persons charged with misdemeanors

Michele N. Schaefer, Joseph D. Bloom

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heightened awareness and concern regarding the large number of mentally ill misdemeanants in jails has led to a search for alternatives to jail and to the development nationwide of jail diversion programs for offenders with mental illness. Two such mechanisms-diversion to civil commitment and the use of mental health courts-are briefly reviewed. In Oregon, however, a rather unique mechanism is used to defer mentally ill misdemeanants (in addition to felons) from the criminal justice system: the insanity defense, with subsequent placement of the individual under Psychiatric Security Review Board jurisdiction. Statistics regarding such use from 1978 to 2001 are provided. The authors compare and contrast this jail alternative with both mental health courts and diversion to civil commitment, and discuss questions related to the feasibility of larger-scale use of this mechanism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)79-84
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
Volume33
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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