Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Prevention Not Punishment

Criminal Law

: Prevention Not Punishment

A Holistic Approach to Offenders with Mental Illness

By Kristin Houle

Here's an op-ed from Judge Nancy Hohengarten that appeared in the Austin American-Statesman ("A way to ensure justice for all", February 5, 2008):"Traditionally, family members of criminal defendants do not discuss cases with the prosecution, but when the defendant is mentally ill, family input is appropriate.A family member who understands the nature of a defendant's mental illness, behavior and circumstances is a valuable resource to the criminal justice system. Protection of the community requires that the mentally ill receive treatment to prevent recidivism. A mentally ill defendant who does not receive appropriate treatment will often be re-arrested, thrown back in jail and yet another person will have been a victim. In the misdemeanor courts' mental health docket, Travis County Attorney David Escamilla allows his mental health prosecutor to listen to family members because it leads to better decision-making on criminal cases...continue to full post

Full post as published by Prevention Not Punishment on February 06, 2008 (boomark / email).