NS5361 - The Law, Social Policy and the Mentally Ill Offender

Credit points:	03
Year:	2005
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:

Available to students enrolled in postgraduate courses.

The relationship between social policy, the law and human rights as it affects mentally ill offenders. Criminal and mental health legislation, the legal process, alternative sentencing options. Mental illness as a legal defence, as a mitigating factor and as grounds for diversion out of the sentencing process, including the role of expert witnesses. Mental Health Review Tribunals, the Mental Health Court and other agencies involved in managing mentally ill offenders.

Learning Outcomes

• to give an account of criminal and mental health legislation and the legal process in Australia and other countries;
• to give an account of custodial and correctional systems;
• to give an account of the role of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, the Mental Health Court and other agencies involved in the legal framework for managing mentally ill offenders;
• to outline the relationship between social policy, the law and human rights as it affects mentally ill offenders;
• to understand the significance of mental disorder as a factor in the disposal of offenders, including alternative sentencing options and describe the role of expert witnesses and testimony.

Availabilities
, Study Period 1
Census Date 31-Mar-2005
Coord/Lect:	Professor Colin Holmes.
Contact hours:	80 hours
Method of Delivery:	Printed materials
Assessment:	.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.