Perceptions of mental health within the English and Welsh Criminal Justice System: What are the attitudes and beliefs of professionals towards mental health conditions, and what sentencing decisions are made concerning those with mental health conditions who are charged with criminal acts?

Maltby, Oliver (2024) Perceptions of mental health within the English and Welsh Criminal Justice System: What are the attitudes and beliefs of professionals towards mental health conditions, and what sentencing decisions are made concerning those with mental health conditions who are charged with criminal acts? Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Aims: The systematic review in this thesis portfolio aimed to explore the attitudes and beliefs of professionals within the English and Welsh Criminal Justice System (CJS) towards people with mental health conditions. The empirical research project aimed to explore the use of the Vowles criteria, the effect of diagnosis on decision-making in relation to the Vowles criteria, and whether the diagnosis of the offender or participants' belief about mental health would have an impact on sentencing.

Methods: The systematic review synthesised all the attitudes and beliefs of professionals within the CJS via outcome data reported from quantitative and mixed methods studies solely in England and Wales. In an online survey format, the empirical project randomised CJS professionals into two groups. The same vignette was delivered but the offender was either given a diagnosis of personality disorder or schizophrenia.

Results: 14 suitable studies (n = 5768) were included in the systematic review. The majority of these papers reported overall positive attitudes, but these were mixed with stigmatising beliefs and issues with sampling and the use of self-reported measures. A lack of literature was seen with all professionals but particularly with lawyers and judges. The empirical project found agreeability was high across all four criteria, but contrary to a real courtroom environment, participants were most likely to give a hybrid order regardless of diagnosis.

Conclusions: The systematic review suggest more research is needed with different professional groups and diagnoses in general with the English and Welsh CJS professionals. The empirical research project findings suggests that most participants choose the hybrid option, even though only a fraction of offenders being sentenced under s.45A. To give further insight into the discrepancy, further research with either qualified judges or psychiatrists who contribute to decision-making is needed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	11 Nov 2024 13:20
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2024 13:20
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/97605
DOI:

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