Category: Mental Illness
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Why Jails Are Not Designed to Be Mental Health Facilities
Local jails play an essential role in maintaining public safety and supporting the court system. Every day, jail staff manage complex populations with a wide range of needs, including individuals experiencing significant mental health challenges. In Iowa and across the country, jails have become one of the largest points of contact for individuals with mental…
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Why Time Matters in Court-Ordered Services
In Iowa, courts sometimes order mental health or psychiatric services when questions arise about an individual’s ability to proceed or when additional information is needed for the legal process to continue. One common example is court-ordered psychiatric evaluations under Iowa Code 812.3, commonly referred to as competency evaluations. These court-ordered services help ensure that individuals…
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Why Mental Health Records Matter in Court Ordered Services
When the court orders a psychiatric evaluation under Iowa Code 812.3, one of the first steps in the process is gathering relevant records. These court-ordered evaluations are commonly referred to as competency evaluations and help the court determine whether an individual is able to understand the legal process and meaningfully participate in their defense. Mental…
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Getting Started with Court-Ordered Services
When court-ordered mental health services are first being arranged, people often have questions about what information is needed and how the process gets started. Courts, attorneys, treatment providers, families, and correctional facilities may all play a role, and figuring out what to gather or who to contact can sometimes feel overwhelming. When information is available…
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Traumatic Brain Injury: The Silent Epidemic
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a “silent epidemic” among those involved in the justice system. Systematic reviews show that 25% to 87% of incarcerated individuals have a history of TBI, often involving loss of consciousness and lasting cognitive changes. The link between TBI and crime is localized in the frontal and temporal lobes, the brain’s…
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Navigating the Competency Evaluation Process in Iowa
When someone is involved in a criminal case, the law requires that they be able to understand what is happening and meaningfully participate in their defense. In Iowa, when concerns arise about a defendant’s ability to do so, Iowa Code 812.3 provides the framework for addressing those concerns through a competency evaluation. On paper, the…
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Individuals with Intellectual Disability in the Criminal Justice System
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are arrested, charged, and incarcerated at disproportionately high rates. While intellectual disability is not a cause of crime, this population faces systemic barriers that complicate their interaction within the standard legal system. Challenges related to abstract reasoning, communication deficits, and struggles with judgment can substantially impact their right to due process. …
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Dual Diagnosis: The Intersection Between Substance Abuse and Mental Health
The relationship between mental health and substance use is complex. While a connection exists, it is important to recognize that the majority of individuals with mental health conditions do not have a substance addiction. Other variables play a more significant role in substance abuse, such as adverse childhood experiences, socioeconomic disadvantage, and other genetic and environmental…
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The Intersection of Mental Health and Criminal Behavior
The correlation between mental health and criminal activity is intricate. While a relationship between criminal activity and individuals with untreated mental health conditions has been noted, this association is not causal. It is crucial to recognize that the majority of individuals experiencing mental health challenges do not engage in criminal behavior, are not violent, and…
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Faking Mental Illness
Individuals sometimes falsely report symptoms of mental illness during forensic evaluations. They might falsely report relatively minor symptoms, such as anxiety or insomnia, or they might pretend to suffer from a severe illness, such as schizophrenia. The reasons for this behavior are wide-ranging and deserve an entire series, but in this post we’re going to…