Mental Health in Australias Criminal Justice System

Year 11 Legal Studies Year 11 Legal Studies Jacob Ellis â€Å"Statistics suggest that, with one in 5 adults, and 27 per cent of young Australians, suffering some form of mental illness, current mental health funding is unable to cater for all mental health needs, forcing prisons to become the new mental health institutions.† Jacob Ellis â€Å"Statistics suggest that, with one in 5 adults, and 27 per cent of young Australians, suffering some form of mental illness, current mental health funding is unable to cater for all mental health needs, forcing prisons to become the new mental health institutions.† Mental Health Services in Australia’s Criminal Justice System Mental Health Services in Australia’s Criminal Justice System Table of†¦show more content†¦The report will discuss the following and address the legal and social issues surrounding the prosecution of mentally ill perpetrators. 2.0 Description of Social and Legal Issues 3.1 Social Issues 3.2.1 The lack of professional screening and health services in rural jurisdictions This issue highlights the distinction between services on offer within the rural districts and major cities of Australia. 3.2.2 The compromising of the mentally ill perpetrators Health to themselves and the general community The second social issue is an investigation into how the treatment of mentally ill perpetrators has demonstrated a decrease in formality and consistency. 3.2.3 The relationship between offending behaviour, mental illness and substance abuse Persons with common mental disorders such as schizophrenia have been deemed a danger to society, and substance abuse is known to be a contributing factor to this theory. 3.2 Legal Issues 3.3.4 Police services and the informal responses to mental health cases This legal issue addresses how police services are being given very little training into circumstances involving mentally ill perpetrators and examines how and why they are given no formal screening process in identifying those who have a mental disorder. 3.3.5 The court services and criminal proceedings in Australian courts The followingShow MoreRelatedThe Mental Impairment And Unfitness Act1285 Words   |  6 PagesThe 1997 Mental Impairment and Unfitness Act has been effective in helping courts to determine persons to place on supervision. 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