The criminalization of the mentally ill

This paper presents three patients with manifest psychotic illnesses who were directed into the legal system when they committed criminal acts. All of the patients were ordered to attend a psychiatrist for the year they waited for trial. All three patients pleaded guilty; two were put on probation with continuing psychiatric attendance, a condition of probation, and the other was given an absolute discharge when the court was assured that the patient would remain in treatment. Two of the patients who had previously been noncompliant with psychiatric treatment became very compliant and cooperative as a result of the court process and probation order. The third patient was compliant and cooperative both before and after the legal proceedings. All three patients were embarrassed by the criminal charges and disliked the legal process. Since civil commitment laws have changed, psychiatrists must not abandon the seriously mentally ill but should be willing to treat patients backed up by a probation order. The cooperation of medical and legal professionals is in the patients' interest.