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Related Concept Videos

Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

Electroconvulsive Therapy

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early...
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Psychosurgery01:30

Psychosurgery

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Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
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The Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Death Row.

Arya Shah1, Nathaniel P Morris2, Dale E McNiel2

  • 1Dr. Shah is a Forensic Psychiatry Fellow; Dr. Morris is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry; Dr. McNiel is a Professor of Clinical Psychology; and Dr. Binder is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Psychiatry and the Law Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. arya.shah@ucsf.edu.

The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
|August 17, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use is limited in U.S. correctional facilities, especially for those on death row. This article examines unique clinical, legal, and ethical issues surrounding ECT for individuals facing capital punishment.

Keywords:
correctional psychiatrydeath penaltyelectroconvulsive therapy

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Neuroscience
  • Medical Ethics

Background:

  • High prevalence of mental illness in U.S. incarcerated populations.
  • Limited use and guidelines for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in correctional facilities.
  • Lack of specific attention to ECT for individuals sentenced to death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the use of ECT for individuals sentenced to death.
  • To analyze court considerations of ECT in capital cases.
  • To explore historical uses of ECT in relation to execution.

Main Methods:

  • Review of legal precedents and court decisions regarding ECT in capital cases.
  • Analysis of historical records and ethical considerations.
  • Examination of clinical practices and guidelines for ECT in correctional settings.

Main Results:

  • ECT use is infrequent in U.S. jails and prisons, with minimal focus on death row inmates.
  • Court cases reveal consideration of ECT in capital cases, including historical instances of its use to facilitate execution.
  • Unique clinical, legal, and ethical challenges arise when considering ECT for individuals sentenced to death.

Conclusions:

  • There is a need for greater attention to the specific practices and ethical implications of ECT for individuals on death row.
  • Proposed general guidelines are necessary for the appropriate use of ECT in this vulnerable population.
  • Further research and policy development are required to address the complexities of ECT in capital punishment contexts.