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Legal frameworks and key concepts regulating diversion and treatment of mentally disordered offenders in european union member states

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2007

Harald Dressing ,
Hans Joachim Salize  and
Harvey Gordon
Harald Dressing*
Affiliation:
Central institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, 68159Mannheim, Germany
Hans Joachim Salize
Affiliation:
Central institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, 68159Mannheim, Germany
Harvey Gordon
Affiliation:
The Oxford Clinic Medium Secure Unit, Oxford, UK
*
∗Corresponding author. Zentralinstitut für seelische Gesundheit J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany. Tel.: +49 0621 1703 2941; fax: +49 0621 1703 2005. E-mail address: harald.dressing@zi-mannheim.de (H. Dressing).
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Abstract

Background

There is only limited research on the various legal regulations governing assessment, placement and treatment of mentally ill offenders in European Union member states (EU-member states).

Aims

To provide a structured description and cross-boundary comparison of legal frameworks regulating diversion and treatment of mentally disordered offenders in EU-member states before the extension in May 2004. A special focus is on the concept of criminal responsibility.

Method

information on legislation and practice concerning the assessment, placement and treatment of mentally ill offenders was gathered by means of a detailed, structured questionnaire which was filled in by national experts.

Results

The legal regulations relevant for forensic psychiatry in EU-member states are outlined. Definitions of mental disorders given within these acts are introduced and compared with ICD-10 diagnoses. Finally the application of the concept of criminal responsibility by the law and in routine practice is presented.

Conclusion

Legal frameworks for the processing and placement of mentally disordered offenders varied markedly across EU-member states. Since May 2004 the European Union has expanded to 25 member states and in January 2007 it will reach 27. With increasing mobility across Europe, the need for increasing trans-national co-operation is becoming apparent in which great variation in legal tradition pertains.

Keywords

Forensic psychiatryCriminal responsibilityLegal frameworks
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 22 , Issue 7 , October 2007 , pp. 427 - 432
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2007

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