Title

Beyond criminalization: toward a criminologically informed framework for mental health policy and services research

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry

Publication Date

6-23-2006

Document Type

Article

Subjects

*Criminal Law; *Health Services Research; Humans; *Mental Health; *Policy Making; Risk Assessment; United States

Disciplines

Health Services Research | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology

Abstract

The problems posed by persons with mental illness involved with the criminal justice system are vexing ones that have received attention at the local, state and national levels. The conceptual model currently guiding research and social action around these problems is shaped by the "criminalization" perspective and the associated belief that reconnecting individuals with mental health services will by itself reduce risk for arrest. This paper argues that such efforts are necessary but possibly not sufficient to achieve that reduction. Arguing for the need to develop a services research framework that identifies a broader range of risk factors for arrest, we describe three potentially useful criminological frameworks-the "life course," "local life circumstances" and "routine activities" perspectives. Their utility as platforms for research in a population of persons with mental illness is discussed and suggestions are provided with regard to how services research guided by these perspectives might inform the development of community-based services aimed at reducing risk of arrest.

Rights and Permissions

Citation: Adm Policy Ment Health. 2006 Sep;33(5):544-57. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Administration and policy in mental health

Comments

Nominated for ‘Best Paper” 2008, Mental Health Section, American Sociological Association.

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

16791518

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