Criminal Justice and Mental Disorder

Module code: CR3019

There has been longstanding debate and considerable research on the relationship between mental disorder and criminal behaviour. Within this module you'll learn about this relationship, exploring various arguments around whether or not mental disorder can be causally related to crime. By the end of the module you'll be able to apply key criminological theories and provisions for the mentally disordered perpetrator. You'll learn about the diagnostic system and analyse various legal and policy documents in the field of forensic mental health, examining concepts to diversionary processes. You'll investigate specific types of disorders, how mental health impacts specific groups and consider the role of the media in misperceptions of the link between mental health and crime. At the same time, you'll examine how offenders who experience poor mental health are often susceptible to unfair treatment within the criminal justice system.