Criminalization of the Mentally Ill - Essay Example

Multiple human rights groups have been attributed to the major changes in correctional facilities. Changes in the correctional institutions range from decongestion, improved security, and increased human contact with relatives. In all the implemented changes in correctional facilities, the most significant change is the change regarding the mentally disabled or unfit.

            Prior to the past century, mentally disabled individuals were held in the same correctional facilities as normal persons.  This was a breach of human rights according to modern-day states. There should be a distinction between normal individuals and mentally disabled individuals as far as convictions are concerned. In many instances, mentally disabled individuals commit crimes unknowingly. In past centuries this claim was insignificant and all convicts were treated to the same levels of punishment (Doris & Frieda, pp, 102). Mentally disabled persons unknowingly commit crimes without their consent. This claim has been used for human rights. According to Levinson (pp. 39), insane individuals in society should be given exceptions as far as convictions are concerned. In the 21st century, the most significant change in correctional facilities is the exclusion of mentally disabled persons in normal correctional institutions. The sensitivity of human nature has definitely increased forcing people in society to advocate for proper and secluded correctional facilities for the mentally disabled.

            In 2007, there was the emergence of the mental health act. This act advocated for a compulsory test for all potential inmates. This enabled the mentally disabled persons to give logical reasons as to why they committed crimes. The importance of this act was very significant because many serious federal offenders tested positive for mental instability. According to Landsberg (pp. 117) mentally instability individuals stand in a high position to commit crimes without their knowledge. The implementation of this act in 2007 was a clear indication that modern-day societies are willing to embrace the attention as far as mentally inmates are concerned.

Additionally, there are many individuals who advocate for full immunity for mentally disabled offenders. The significance of this suggestion is that the sensitivity of illness based on mental disability will be sensitized (Patricia & Stevens, pp. 163). Of all changes in correctional facilities, the need to exclude the mentally disabled from ordinary detention is the most significant change as far as I am concerned.

            Human rights advocates are aiming at completely excluding the mentally disabled from prison programs. To support their goal, the cost of detaining a mentally individual in a normal institution is very high. This will make it easier for states to consider hospitalization more than detention. This has so far been the most significant change in correctional facilities over the past century.