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The Pros And Cons Of The Insanity Plea

1466 Words6 Pages

“There are three times as many mentally ill in U.S. prisons as in the country 's mental health hospitals, suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, among other illnesses,” (Fellner, 2004). This statistic is heart shattering, when knowing so many helpless individuals are not getting assistance with their medical complications. Inexperienced staff, unsatisfactory specialized facilities, and limited programs leave prisoners without the treatment they need. This is why mentally ill individuals need treatment. When a mentally ill person is sentenced without the insanity plea, he or she is not getting the medical attention needed. If the jurors do believe the defendant is insane, the defendant is then treated until …show more content…

Critics of the insanity plea often contend that a crime is still a crime, and it does not matter who committed it, sane or insane. Opponents of this defense also question, “They are criminals, so who cares if they are sent away?” In truth, it is still a crime, however, this crime cannot be considered guilty, if the defendant had no criminal intent to do so. When dealing with a person who is mentally incapable to comprehend and do certain things, one must analyze their thought process. Some people are eminently schizophrenic, and believe they are doing the world a favor by “eliminating” another individual. They believe that their “target” is going to do wrong to the world, another person, or themselves. In some cases, the defendant hears voices he believes are telling them to commit these crimes to protect himself. This crime then becomes, in the mind of the defendant, a crime of self defense. Although the victim has not done anything outstandingly wrong, the defendant still believes that the victim is out to get them. If someone so mentally obstructed cannot comprehend reality, then sending them to prison, without medical attention, will not make them automatically understand their wrong doings. These people are still human beings, and they need help, therapy, and medicine, to better their life and their medical

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