About this ebook
For a myriad of reasons the criminal justice system has become the de
facto mental health system. This book explores how and why this is the
case. Sensationalized cases often drive criminal justice policies that
can sometimes be impulsively enacted and misguided.
facto mental health system. This book explores how and why this is the
case. Sensationalized cases often drive criminal justice policies that
can sometimes be impulsively enacted and misguided.
While there are chapters that examine competency, insanity, and
inpatient and outpatient commitment, the primary focus of the book is on
the bulk of encounters that clog the criminal justice system with
persons with mental illnesses (pwmi). Criminal justice practitioners are
often ill-equipped for dealing with pwmi in crises. However, via
application of therapeutic jurisprudence principles some agencies are
better preparing their employees for such encounters and attempting to
stop the inhumane and costly recycling of pwmi through the criminal
justice system.
inpatient and outpatient commitment, the primary focus of the book is on
the bulk of encounters that clog the criminal justice system with
persons with mental illnesses (pwmi). Criminal justice practitioners are
often ill-equipped for dealing with pwmi in crises. However, via
application of therapeutic jurisprudence principles some agencies are
better preparing their employees for such encounters and attempting to
stop the inhumane and costly recycling of pwmi through the criminal
justice system.
Coverage runs the gamut from deinstitutionalization, to specialized
law enforcement responses, to mental health courts, to jails and
prisons, to discharge planning, diversion, and reentry. Also, criminal
justice practitioners in their own words provide insight into and
examples of the interface between the mental health and criminal justice
systems. Throughout the book the balance between maintaining public
safety and preserving civil liberties is examined as the state's police
power and parens patriae roles are considered.
law enforcement responses, to mental health courts, to jails and
prisons, to discharge planning, diversion, and reentry. Also, criminal
justice practitioners in their own words provide insight into and
examples of the interface between the mental health and criminal justice
systems. Throughout the book the balance between maintaining public
safety and preserving civil liberties is examined as the state's police
power and parens patriae roles are considered.
Reasoned, collaborative approaches for influencing and informing
policies that are often driven by crises are discussed; this book also
reflects more psychological underpinnings than the 1st edition, as one
of the co-authors new to this edition is a forensic
clinical psychologist.
policies that are often driven by crises are discussed; this book also
reflects more psychological underpinnings than the 1st edition, as one
of the co-authors new to this edition is a forensic
clinical psychologist.
The following Teaching Materials are available electronically on a CD or via email (Please contact Beth Hall at bhall@cap-press.com to request a copy, and specify what format is needed):
-Teacher's Manual with notes and extensive test bank in Word/pdf formats
-Test bank is also available in separate files by
chapter in Word and Blackboard formats. Other LMS formats may be
available; let me know what you need.)
chapter in Word and Blackboard formats. Other LMS formats may be
available; let me know what you need.)
Upon adoption only, the following are also available:
-3 Videos. Upon adoption only. One video illustrates Crisis
Intervention Team scenarios, another explores PTSD and the third
video is of a lecture author Risdon Slate gave to law enforcement
in training that describes his own personal story.
Intervention Team scenarios, another explores PTSD and the third
video is of a lecture author Risdon Slate gave to law enforcement
in training that describes his own personal story.
-PowerPoint slides will be available upon adoption. Email bhall@cap-press.com for more information.
“I am so grateful that I have decided on this book and the resources are amazing.” — Joseph
C. Marinello, lecturer in the Department of Criminal Justice and
Criminology, UNC Charlotte (on classroom adoption of second edition)
“Notorious criminal cases tend to drive public opinion and policy
when it comes to how our criminal justice system deals with persons with
mental illnesses. Drs. Slate and Johnson’s book is a far brighter star
to steer by. By most accounts, including the US Department of Justice,
our criminal justice system is in crisis. In The Criminalization of
Mental Illness the authors explain how our justice system has failed
persons with mental illnesses, the public and its own self-interests.
But rather than place blame, the authors focus on illuminating the
history and anatomy of the problem and offering real solutions. Because
they are based on careful scholarship, their proposals are authoritative
and make sense. But it is their informed empathy for all the players
involved in the tragedy—not just persons with mental illnesses—that
makes this book a must read for anyone involved in the criminal
justice system or simply interested in knowing the truth of how it is
broken and can be fixed.” — Xavier F. Amador, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, Columbia University, Author of the National Best Seller I am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help! and I’m Right, You’re Wrong, Now What?“The book confronts myths and social/political policy failures
directly; and with great honor recognizes those advocates whose work has
moved social justice and mental health policy forward. [Their]
dedication and passion to the subject of promoting human rights
and recovery is evident in every word. It is a masterful, relevant and
inspiring work.” — Ginger Lerner-Wren, the nation’s first mental health court judge and member of the President’s Commission on Mental Health“[This book] provides extraordinary insights into the manner by
which people with mental illness are processed through the criminal
justice system… I thoroughly enjoyed this work and would recommend it to
anyone who has an interest in issues involving mental illness and the
criminal justice system. I have seen a few books in this area, but have
never found one quite as comprehensive and well-researched. It is,
without exception, one of the best academic books that I have read in
many years.” — Penn State, Altoona, Professor Robert M. Worley in his book review for The Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice, Fall 2008“This is a highly insightful and important book which corrections
staff, academics, students, and the general public should know about.” —
Ken Kerle, Ph.D, American Jail Association“Overall this very readable book provides a good survey of the
various sectors of thecriminal justice system and their response to the
substantive changes that have affected persons with mental illness
during the recent past. These authors provide a valuable guide for
mental health professionals interested in appropriate treatment and
placement of persons with mental illness.” — Frederick J. Frese, Ph.D., Psychiatric Services: A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association“Without a doubt, it is the most comprehensive explanation of what
has happened between the two systems during the past 40 or so years. It
explains not only the crisis that exists and how we got here, but some
interesting and innovative ways that local governments are providing
solutions… [M]ore important than the chronicling of the impact of this
social crisis, it demonstrates with pointed examples how the two systems
intertwine with well-intentioned judicial and treatment policies. No
matter how you view the issue of the mentally ill in prison, the book
demonstrates that the person left out of the discussion is
the defendant/offender/patient.” — Corrections Today
Ratings and reviews
3.8
5 reviews
About the author
Risdon N. Slate earned his Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate School and is Professor of Criminology at Florida Southern College. He has worked as an assistant to a warden and as a federal probation officer. He has testified before members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Florida Senate and trained criminal justice practitioners on the interface between the justice and mental health systems. Dr. Slate is a former national board member of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is co-author of The Decision-Making Network: An Introduction to Criminal Justice.
Jacqueline K. Buffington-Vollum completed her Ph.D. in forensic clinical psychology at Sam Houston State University and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy. She is an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth and
a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice performing forensic evaluations. Dr. Buffington-Vollum also conducts trainings and research on mental health-criminal justice collaboration in jails.
W. Wesley Johnson earned his Ph.D. in criminology from Florida State University. He previously taught at South Carolina State College and Sam Houston State University, where he served as the Associate Dean of the College of Criminal Justice. Dr. Johnson worked in the criminal justice system in the areas of juvenile corrections and substance abuse treatment. He has published articles in a variety of journals, is actively involved in the National Alliance on Mental Illness, MS, and is a former President of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
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