Mental Impairments in the Criminal Justice system

Imagine having a mentally impaired relative that has committed a crime. Should they be given the same treatment as other adults? The problem is that mentally impaired individuals are not mentally the same as other adults. Mentally impaired individuals have disadvantages to the way they interact socially, which can lead them to committing a crime.

For the past two years, I have had the pleasure of working for a company that has group homes for mentally handicapped/ mentally retarded males. As a direct care staff member, I interact with them for my entire shift and see them for the people that they truly are. Although several people may be afraid of people with mental impairments, I have got to understand that they do not always realize what consequences will happen due to their actions.

A mental disability is also known as an intellectual disability. This is an impairment that could limit ones functioning socially, actively, educationally, and personally. All of which causes a disadvantage compared to those without a mental impairment.

While social learning can be related back to criminal activity; how is it related to mental impairments? An individual with a mental impairment can have limited social functions. With this being said, they may be too trusting to those around them. Since people’s interactions can affect the criminal activity, mentally impaired individuals have even more of a disadvantage (Schneider,2012). As these individuals may trust the wrong crowd of people, they are observing activities of those around them. When those in the group encourage criminal behavior, there is more approval. To fit in, the mentally impaired individual may only see the benefit of the activity, which could be friendships. With that being said, they would not be aware of what negative outcomes could potentially happen.

In conclusion, people with mental impairments should not be treated the same as other adults that have committed crimes. They have disadvantages socially because they are easily persuaded. Social learning with them does happen, but they may not fully understand what type of harm they are putting themselves in and what activates may become criminal.

 

References:

Schneider, F. W., Gruman, J. A., and Coutts, L. M. (Eds.) (2012). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

W D Murphy; E M Coleman; M R   Haynes. Treatment   and Evaluation Issues With the Mentally Retarded Sex Offender (From Sexual   Aggressor, P 22-41, 1983, Joanne G Greer and Irving R Stuart, ed. – See   NCJ-98468). Van Nostrand Reinhold, NY.

3 comments

  1. VLC Media Player Download

    Mental Impairments in the Criminal Justice system | Applied Social Psychology (ASP)

  2. O&O DiskRecovery Download

    Mental Impairments in the Criminal Justice system | Applied Social Psychology (ASP)

  3. SmartPower Download

    Mental Impairments in the Criminal Justice system | Applied Social Psychology (ASP)

Leave a Reply


Skip to toolbar