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Escape from Psychiatrization: A Statistical Analysis of Referrals to a Forensic Unit

Medical College of Wisconsin; Marquette University; Forensic Unit, Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex, 924 East Wells Street, #316, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, USA

Edward J. Gumz

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 5789 Glen Haven Drive, Greendale, Wisconsin 53129, USA

Maurice B. Smith

CATOR/New Standards, Inc., (Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment Outcome Research), 17 W. Exchange Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102, USA

Frank J. Liska

Milwaukee County Court House, 901 N. 9th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, USA

The authors offer a pertinent review of statistical studies concerning the psychiatric disorders in jail populations and present their statistical analysis of a group of 272 mentally ill inmates seen for competency evaluation at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Forensic Unit during a period of three years. The mentally ill pseudo-offenders have been divided by type of offense and typology of mental disorder using the DSM-III-R diagnostic manual. The discussion of the results of this study reveals, and statistically supports, the presence of the mentally ill in the Milwaukee County Jail and, by sound generalization, in other United States jails. Chronic schizophrenics and psychopathic drug abusers are highly represented. The authors' critical analysis points to the possibility of a new trend among mentally ill inmates: escapism from psychiatrization. They argue that the pseudo-offenders, inheritance of deinstitutionalization and the present day social climate, should be offered proper psychiatric-legal assessment, and treatment when necessary. Social factors leading to the criminalization of the mentally ill are offered. Suggestions are given to rectify the de facto revolving door situation by which society unintentionally victimizes mentally ill offenders.

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