Question 1

Which form of mental health care is most likely to be provided for prison inmates?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings are common forms of mental health care provided in prisons, especially since substance abuse issues are prevalent among inmates. These programs are relatively easy to implement and can be conducted in group settings, making them practical and accessible options for correctional facilities.

Question 2

Identify and define the insanity defense rules.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify and define the insanity defense rules....

Question 3

Which of the following is a concern raised by mental health professionals about the insanity defense?

Accepted Answer

Mental health professionals have raised concerns about the insanity defense because it requires after-the-fact judgments of a defendant's state of mind at the time of the crime, which can be subjective and difficult to determine.

Question 4

Men with mental disorders are _____ times more likely to be incarcerated than men without a mental disorder, and women with a mental disorder are _____ times more likely to be incarcerated than women without a mental disorder.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Men with mental disorders are _____ times...

Question 5

What is meant by incompetence to stand trial? What are the consequences of competence judgments for defendants?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is meant by incompetence to stand...

Question 6

The insanity defense has been one of the most controversial applications of psychology to law. Many people believe the defense is a way for criminals to get away with their crimes. Compare public perceptions with the actual use of this defense.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The insanity defense has been one of...

Question 7

Jake, a middle-aged man, was arrested with a small amount of cocaine and sent to a court that focuses specifically on such offenders. He is most likely to have been sent to a _____.

Accepted Answer

Drug courts focus specifically on offenders charged with drug-related offenses, such as Jake who was arrested for cocaine possession. These courts aim to provide treatment and rehabilitation programs to help offenders overcome their addiction and prevent future criminal behavior. Community courts focus on quality of life issues, mental health courts address the needs of offenders with mental illness, and juvenile courts deal with cases involving minors.

Question 8

Diversion from jail into community-based treatment programs is especially likely to be a goal when the offender is _____.

Accepted Answer

Diversion from jail into community-based treatment programs is often seen as a more effective and appropriate approach for young offenders who may be more responsive to rehabilitative programs and have a greater potential for successful reintegration into society. Additionally, research has shown that incarceration can have harmful effects on the mental and emotional development of young people, making diversion into community-based programs a more beneficial option.

Question 9

Courts that focus specifically on drug offenders often are called _____.

Accepted Answer

Courts that focus specifically on drug offenders are called drug courts.

Question 10

Discuss the criteria for involuntary commitment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the criteria for involuntary commitment....

Question 11

Which of the following is true about the verdict "guilty but mentally ill"?

Accepted Answer

The verdict "guilty but mentally ill" is a compromise between those who argue for the insanity defense and those who argue that defendants should be held fully accountable for their actions. This verdict recognizes the defendant's mental illness while still holding them responsible for their actions. It also requires that the defendant receive treatment for their mental illness while serving their sentence.

Question 12

Discuss the prevalence of involuntary commitment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the prevalence of involuntary commitment....

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true of mental health courts and drug courts?

Accepted Answer

Mental health courts and drug courts often face controversy because they can coerce offenders into treatment as part of their approach to addressing underlying issues related to criminal behavior. This coercion is seen as a way to ensure compliance with treatment plans, but it raises ethical and legal concerns about autonomy and consent.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true of mental health care in the justice system?

Accepted Answer

Many mental health treatment programs within the justice system are primarily designed with male inmates in mind, reflecting the larger population of males in the system and historical trends in program development. Female inmates, who often have different mental health needs, may not find these programs as beneficial.

Question 15

The rules governing the insanity defense suggest that the law takes a _____ perspective on psychological disorders.

Accepted Answer

The insanity defense is based on the premise that a person's mental state, influenced by biological factors, can impair their ability to distinguish right from wrong or to control their actions. This perspective aligns with a biological understanding of psychological disorders, focusing on the physiological and neurological conditions that affect mental health.

Question 16

Describe the verdict of guilty but mentally ill (GBMI).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the verdict of guilty but mentally...

Question 17

Discuss the rights of individuals who are committed to mental health institutions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the rights of individuals who are...

Question 18

Some states have developed _____, in which judges who specialize in working with mental health and social service professionals review the cases of offenders with mental disorders and divert offenders into treatment and rehabilitation.

Accepted Answer

Mental health courts are specifically designed to handle cases of offenders with mental disorders and divert them towards treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Youth courts, juvenile courts, and community courts are different types of specialized courts dealing with youth offenders and community disputes, but they do not specifically focus on mental health issues of offenders.

Question 19

Rachel has recently been sentenced to prison. She has a history of substance abuse and other psychopathologies. According to research, which of the following symptoms is most likely to go unnoticed in Rachel?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rachel has recently been sentenced to prison....

Question 20

Studies of male prison inmates have shown that the most common mental disorders in this population are _____.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently found that substance use disorders and antisocial personality disorder are the most common mental disorders among male prison inmates, with prevalence rates ranging from 50% to 80%. While anxiety and other disorders may also be present in this population, they are not as consistently prevalent as substance use and antisocial personality disorder. Paranoid personality disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are also not typically among the most common diagnoses in this population.

Quiz 16: Mental Health and the Law