Abstract
Objective: This essay demonstrates the need for mental health resources within correctional facilities. It will investigate crime rates of recurring offenders, economical impacts of criminal justice, and social symptoms of mental illness.
Information Research: There are not enough resources for criminals. How is mental health connected to the criminal justice system? Punishment does not impact a criminal’s decision to commit more crimes, rehabilitation resources change their thinking process. Specifically, mental health treatment interrupts a convict’s criminal thinking.
Results: Rehabilitation programs, classes, and mental illness resources within prisons keep inmates out of trouble. Criminals can enter back into society and recidivism rates decrease.
Conclusion: The criminal justice system needs to establish more mental health treatment to lower crime rates and to stop past convicts from committing more crimes.
Key Words: mental illness, criminal, correctional facility, recidivism, rehabilitation
Word Count: 138
Table of Contents
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………..1
Introduction………………………………………………………………………3 Investigation………………………………………………………………………4
Analysis…………………………………………………………………………..5
Crime Rates of Recurring Offenders …………………………………………5
Economical Impacts of Criminal Justice …………………………………….7
Social Symptoms of Mental Illness ……………………………………………9
Conclusion………………………………………………………………….….…10
Works Cited………………………………………………………….……………11
Bibliography……………………………………………………………….….…13
Introduction
Significance of Mental Health
Mental health in the criminal justice system is significant because without treatment there is no chance for rehabilitation after the criminal serves their time and enters back into society. Untreated convicts enter into society and commit more crimes. Neglected illness signals a human rights issue.
Purpose of Investigation
How is mental health connected to the criminal justice system? Article 5 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” Untreated mental illness in correctional facilities violates human rights. Illness is an unhealthy body or mind condition. Mental defines as relating to the mind. Criminal is defined as relating to crime; justice is the quality of rightfulness and lawfulness. But justice is not completely upheld with untreated illness. Theoretically, if mental health is addressed within correctional facilities, then crime rates of recurring offenders will drop.
Comparison of United States and England
Both systems have a rising number from those with mental illness who are incarcerated. Criminal mental health is also neglected or ignored in both systems.
Importance of Comparison
Considering mental illness is treated as contagious in the United States, health is valued. Reputation is also important in the United States’ culture, which is why it is hard for Americans to admit they need help. On the contrary, England values privacy and tends to keep their private matters to themselves. The British also believe in excellence, meaning they do not like to show flaws.
Investigation
Limits of Literature
The majority of the research provided in the essay came from academic journals with an impact factor of a three or higher. The high impact factor ensured the journals reliable. However, because the journals were written for experts in a specific area, the language is often difficult to interpret. Another research portion came from online sources, specifically for gathering more information about criminal justice in the United States and England. While the sources are easy to understand, it is possible they are not as reliable as the academic journals. Finally, a former law enforcement officer who is now a teacher at Front Range Community College contributed to the expert insight.
Methodology
Mental illness in the judicial system impact the crime rates of recurring offenders, economical impacts of criminal justice, and social symptoms of mental illness. The United States and England have contrasting justice systems with different values. Both systems vary on mental illness treatment and future treatment plans.
Analysis
Crime Rates of Recurring Offenders
To begin, felons relay on rehabilitation services in correctional facilities to help them stay out of prions. Chamberlain informs state governments in her journal abstract about the lack of resources for prisoners because their needs change over time. Different programs are needed for felons. Teaching state legislatures about a need for a change, Chamberlain asserts that, “inmate needs have changed substantially over the past decade.” Convicts who are released from prison have not been taught to live a better life. Physical health and injury needs are met, but mental needs are ignored. Felons are not prepared to join society again after prison.
Hence, United States prisoner’s basic needs are protected under the 8th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution, but mental needs are ignored. U.S. convicts need resources to prepare them for life outside prison. English prisons are also humane, but mental resources are not available for inmates. Prisoners in England suffer from mental illness and would benefit from resources within correctional facilities.
Additionally, the journal abstract by Raaijmakers informs criminal justice scholars about a criminal’s prison sentence length because of misconceptions around what affects recidivism. Longer sentences do not help felons. Guiding scholars toward the truth, Raaijmakers maintains, “more severe prison sentences do not deter offenders from subsequent involvement in crime”. The punishment prisoners receive does not affect their actions after confinement. Long or short prison sentences do not stop inmates from recidivism. Prison time punishes the criminal for their actions but does not teach them to make better choices.
Consequently, the American correctional facilities differ with each state. Some states have longer sentencing or shorter, but a difference is made in an felon who is taught to improve their lifestyle. English prisons offer options for prisoners to learn from their mistakes. Inmates have to prove they have made better life choices and show intentions to change their lifestyle.
Economical Impacts of Criminal Justice
Furthermore, those incarcerated with an illness do not have economical resources after prison. The removal of parole, Kuziemko informs in her abstract, is a mistake state lawmakers are making because parole allows felons to stay hopeful for rehabilitation. Parole elimination harms society. Educating state lawmakers about the impact parol has on an inmate, Kuziemko estimates, “eliminating parole for all prisoners would increase the prison population by 10% while also increasing the crime rate through deleterious effects on recidivism.” Parole encourages felons to improve their lifestyle. correctional facilities. Prisoners believe they are capable of redemption and can be a positive members in society with a job. Correctional facility numbers decrease because criminals are encouraged to stay out clean with a career while on parole.
For example, parole numbers in the United States has fluctuated slightly over time. The turnover rate for parolees prove the system to be effective. While in England, parolees have to meet and present their case before a parole board. The board dictates what criminals can return to society under regulations.
More importantly, restorative justice impacts the crime rate according to Sherman’s journal abstract informing law enforcers about the influence the program has on repeated offender numbers. Restorative justice educates criminals. Conveying to law enforcers the effectiveness the program has on criminals, Sherman affirms, “the effects on repeat offending reported in ten eligible randomized trials of face-to-face restorative justice conferences (RJCs) between crime victims, their accused or convicted offenders, and their respective kin and communities.” Restorative justice benefits inmates, victims, and society. Convicts learn action consequences and their impacts on other people. Compassion and empathy change felons’ lives.
Likewise, United States restorative justice programs teach classes like parenting skills, stress management, and trauma healing. These classes restore social expectations criminals lack. English restorative justice council bring together victim and criminal to guide toward understanding. This system gives the criminal a chance to have empathy toward their victim.
Social Symptoms of Mental Illness
Significantly mental illness is popular amongst those in correctional facilities. In order to inform psychiatrists on the mental illness effects on criminals, Lish wrote the journal abstract because criminals suffer within corrections facilities. Mental illness is common among criminals. Enlightening law enforcers of the issue severity, Lish informs that, “It is estimated that more than two million arrests in the United States each year involve people with serious mental illness.” Mental illness treatment leads to lower crime rates. Individuals have no desire to commit crimes when they are content with themselves and their environment. With greater mental stability, society would be safer and healthier.
Accordingly, criminals in the United States suffer from untreated mental illness symptoms. The few mental health facilities in the United States, lead to the ill turning to drugs, violence, and other criminal acts to attempt to cope with their illness. England prisons do not have the resources needed to begin to treat illness. Criminal within the jails often suffer from breakdowns, suicide attempt, self harm, and death.
Above all, Robert Deutsch, a former law enforcement officer in Colorado who currently teaches a Criminal Justice Careers Exploration class at Front Range Community College, informs his students about the mental facilities in Colorado because he believes they are inadequate. Mental facilities traumatize patients. Disclosing to students about his experience with facilities, Deutsch calls them, “eerie and straight out of a horror movie.” Mental illness facilities traumatize patients and are not a reliable treatment option. Those with an illness commit crimes as an attempt at survival, instead of getting treatment to stop them from committing crimes. Because mental illness treatment options consist of facilities exposing patients to traumatic experiences, there is no realist option for the ill.
Therefore, mental health facilities in the United States are decreasing while the mentally ill are increasing. Scarce resources for the ill force people to turn to other treatment methods. And while psychiatry treatment has improved in England over time, patients still have prejudice surrounding them. But patients in the few hospitals England has claim their treatment has kept them out of prison.
Conclusion
The criminal justice system needs to establish more mental health treatment to lower crime rates and to stop past convicts from committing more crimes.