In order to control, deter, and impose consequences on those who have committed crimes, the United States established its criminal justice system. In the our country’s early civilizations, society believed that criminals were possessed and committed illegal acts unconsciously. In later generations, crimes were viewed as are purely conscious and the evil acts of sociopaths. However, within the last few decades there have been arguments about the increasing number of people with mental illness that are incarcerated. Although the acts of criminals are cruel- there is a difference between those who are mentally stable and just want to defy the law and those who are mentally ill and need the proper treatment and understanding of their conditions.
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The most common mental illnesses among prisoners have shown to be anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and manic depression/bipolar disorder (Steadman & Veysey, 1997). These illnesses can alter the afflicted subject’s perception of everyday morals and life. Those with bipolar disorder/manic depression go through unusual and extreme mood changes and can be a danger to themselves and others, they mostly attempt suicide and are drug users. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after a person experiences a shocking or life threatening event, mostly victims of this disorder are reserved and withdrawn but some can lash out violently and assault who they believe is a possible threat even when they’re not. Majority of people with depression are not violent either, but upon receiving diagnosis one can become frustrated, angry, and desperate and are prone to substance abuse and committing robberies and …show more content…
Sufferers mostly aim their violence toward themselves, not others. However, when combined with substance abuse and the common risk factors (low income, dysfunctional family, weak support group, poor schooling, neglect) the chance of a mentally ill person lashing out and committing crimes increases (health.harvard.edu). Perhaps this is because those who suffer from mental illnesses may find it more difficult to cope with their
The most common mental illnesses among prisoners have shown to be anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and manic depression/bipolar disorder (Steadman & Veysey, 1997). These illnesses can alter the afflicted subject’s perception of everyday morals and life. Those with bipolar disorder/manic depression go through unusual and extreme mood changes and can be a danger to themselves and others, they mostly attempt suicide and are drug users. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after a person experiences a shocking or life threatening event, mostly victims of this disorder are reserved and withdrawn but some can lash out violently and assault who they believe is a possible threat even when they’re not. Majority of people with depression are not violent either, but upon receiving diagnosis one can become frustrated, angry, and desperate and are prone to substance abuse and committing robberies and …show more content…
Sufferers mostly aim their violence toward themselves, not others. However, when combined with substance abuse and the common risk factors (low income, dysfunctional family, weak support group, poor schooling, neglect) the chance of a mentally ill person lashing out and committing crimes increases (health.harvard.edu). Perhaps this is because those who suffer from mental illnesses may find it more difficult to cope with their