Criminal Justice Approaches to Mental Health

Distinguishing Mental Illness from Criminality

Distinguishing between mental illness and criminality is a point to be taken seriously since these ideas must not be combined or substituted. Mental disorder is a broad range of conditions that trigger abnormalities in a person's thought patterns, emotions, and behavior. Examples of these diseases are depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar, other psychiatric disorders. On the contrary, the word criminality denotes the act of committing a crime, or in other words, a prohibited act or subject to the laws and statutes of a particular jurisdiction. It cannot be denied that not all of those individuals who suffer from mental problems engage in crime (Chang, 2018). At the same time, it is not true that each crime is a direct consequence of mental illness. Nevertheless, criminal involvement could stem from certain mental and behavioral disorders or their symptoms.

The given case study examples demonstrate a vivid picture of this difference. To begin with, the situation where a man, say John, broke into a house and stole valuable things indicates that it was an illegal act because it was not about mental health disorders but purely the search for financial gain. However, in the latter case, Sarah's self-inflicted harm and the harm done to others during a psychotic episode are not her fault. She has a mental illness, and her illness makes her see the world incorrectly and keeps her actions uncontrolled. This disparity demonstrates the need for an unbiased criterion to distinguish mental illness from criminality. Although mental health disorders might be the cause of criminal behavior in some instances, one should avoid generalizations and jumping to conclusions (Bronson & Berzofsky, 2017). Every case is different, and the individual context, motivation, and status quo should be carefully considered. By keeping a clear distinction between these two concepts, the criminal justice system can more accurately identify and respond to the specific and complex circumstances experienced by people who suffer from both mental illnesses and criminal behavior. This firsthand knowledge is crucial for ensuring correctional facilities provide fair treatment and effective prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation plans.

Traditional Approach to Mental Illness and Crime

Historically, the predominance of punishment was observed in the criminal justice system while dealing with people who committed crimes as a consequence of mental health issues. Individuals are held responsible for their actions and penalized according to the law. However, the root causes of mental health problems that may lead to criminal behavior are often left unaddressed. In the scenarios given, the first step might concern arresting and charging persons with offences, regardless of their mental health status (Walsh & Jorgensen, 2018). For example, in the case of John entering a house and stealing valuables, the authorities might charge him with burglary and theft because his motivation to break in was for financial gain and not due to any mental health reasons.

Similarly, Sarah's actions directed towards hurting herself or others during psychotic episodes could lead to her getting charged with assault or attempted murder, depending on the severity of her actions. The traditional approach will mainly concentrate on the criminal aspects of her actions, not taking into account that her mental condition most likely was a significant influence on her ability to distinguish between right and wrong and control her actions correctly. At the arraignment hearing, the judge would follow the procedure of setting bail or releasing a person on recognizance without much attention given to the mental health aspects of the person or the potential for rehabilitation and treatment (Chang, 2018). The interest of concern issue is having the person appear in court and follow the legal process as ordered, not addressing the possible mental health aspects that might cause the criminal actions.

The traditional approach hinges on the long-standing idea of retribution and punishment within the criminal justice system and, most times, not being able to appreciate the complicated link between mental illness and criminal behavior. This approach only emphasizes the legal aftermath of committing a crime. It tends to miss other possibilities, such as finding out the origins of the behavior and offering the appropriate treatment and support services (Walsh & Jorgensen, 2018). While an individual's responsibility for their actions is undeniable, the limited scope of punishment is not likely to be a corrective measure for those with mental health problems. It brings to light a need for an approach that considers legal implications and the mental health aspect responsible for criminal acts.

Contemporary Approach to Mental Illness and Crime

The modern approach to dealing with mentally ill offenders in the criminal justice system reveals a notable shift from the traditional punitive approaches to a more supportive model. This strategy takes into account the intricate interplay between mental illness and criminal behavior. It underlines early intervention, diversion programs, and specialized treatment options to deal with the mental health pressures that produce undesirable conduct. Currently, training programs officers in law enforcement forces have begun to move towards identifying and de-escalating the crises involving people with mental health issues (Lord & Bjerregaard, 2014). Such training instils in the officers the required skills for the recognition of mental illness symptoms and for the effective use of communication and de-escalation techniques, which reduce the risk of harm and facilitate appropriate interventions. For example, Sarah's case could be better dealt with by a compassionate police officer who will be able to spot signs of a psychotic episode and seek immediate medical attention and a mental health evaluation rather than jumping to arrest.

Many jurisdictions have set up unique mental health courts and diversion programs for the prevention of mentally ill offenders from going through the traditional justice system. The core principle of these programs is the collaborative approach with the participation of the criminal justice system, mental health services, and community-based support in developing unique treatment plans and follow-ups. The objective is to treat the offender's mental health issues and reduce the risk of future incidents, eventually leading to long-term stability and reintegration of the offender into society (Lord & Bjerregaard, 2014). Diverting Sarah through such a program would prevent her from going through the normal criminal justice process. Instead, she might have to undergo court-ordered treatment, rehab, and close supervision. Through this method, it is understood that classic incarceration may not be the best choice for people whose criminal activity is highlighted or complicated by their mental health status. Instead, diversion programs that make mental health services, counseling, and continuous monitoring available and focus on solving the root cause of criminal activities are the preferable options.

The appropriate charges for a given offender with a mental issue would be determined by the specifics and the jurisdiction's policy regarding offenders with mental illness. For others, charges can be reduced or even dismissed if the person completes the diversion program successfully or demonstrates undeniable progress in treatment. Such flexibility recognizes the complicated nature of mental illness and promotes a more expansionist vision that puts healing before retribution. At the arraignment hearing, the judge evaluates the defendant's mental health status and decides on the most suitable course via an order (Rennison & Dodge, 2018). For people like Sarah showing signs of mental health incidents that contribute to their criminal behaviors, judges could favor conditional release or supervised treatments instead of traditional incarceration. It is through this decision that different circumstances of the case are taken into account, thereby acknowledging that traditional incarceration could harm mental health and the ability of the individual to access treatment and support.

Modern crime prevention policies created at the intersection of mental illness and the criminal justice system represent a radical shift within the criminal justice system. By stressing the prompt implementation of diversion programs, intervention and personalized treatment, this approach reflects the intricacy of criminal behavior and mental health connection. It focuses on recognizing and addressing the root causes that motivate people to commit illegal acts (Lord & Bjerregaard, 2014). The modern approach connects law enforcement agencies, the judiciary system, mental health professionals, and community-based services institutions to adequately address these individuals' immediate needs and build a long-term recovery environment that will diminish recidivism rates and create a more compassionate and effective response for individuals with mental health issues who are charged with crimes.

Conclusion

The distinction between mental illness and criminal activity is fundamental for arriving at fair and righteous treatment for criminals. Mental illness and criminal behavior can be looked at as two different things, but in some instances, a person's mental disorder may aggravate his criminal behavior or even play a role in it. The standard approach to taking care of the offenders with mental health problems has been primarily punitive, centered on the holding people accountable for their actions without giving consideration to the underlying mental health issues. Nevertheless, the modern criminal justice system realizes that a more comprehensive, humane model is imperative, which should focus on early intervention, diversion programs, and treatment that considers individual needs. By finding mental illness and crime interconnections and implementing policies and practices focusing on offenders' rehabilitation and the prevention of criminal behavior key causes, the criminal justice system can better address the needs of offenders with mental health problems while also ensuring public safety and the principles of justice.