Friday, April 27, 2012

Kurdish Kids and Turkey's Shameful Prisons | Human Rights Now - Amnesty International USA Blog

Kurdish Kids and Turkey’s Shameful Prisons

Children's Rights, Europe, Prisoners and People at Risk | Posted by: William Jones, April 27, 2012 at 9:08 AM

Turkish police arrest a Kurdish boy during a demonsration in main Kurdish city Diyarbakir on December 31, 2011 as they protest aginst a Turkish air raid.

In 2010 the Turkish Parliament, reacting to criticism by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations, modified their Anti-Terrorism Laws to end the prosecution of children in adult courts solely for taking part in demonstrations. Despite this change, children, and particularly Kurdish children, continued to be arrested, prosecuted, jailed and abused under other provisions in the Turkish Anti-Terrorism laws.

What has taken place at Pozanti prison outside of Adana, Turkey, reveals just how badly children are being abused and mistreated under these laws. According to a report by members of the European Parliament, children in the prison were deprived of food and medical treatment, beaten while naked with iron bars by prison staff, and sexually abused by adult prisoners. As H.D. a 15-year-old, reported:

“Some of our friends were molested many times. They beat us and forced us to undress. What we have been through cannot be put into words.”

The abuses were reported to the Ministry of Justice, but only seven months later, after the abuses were publicized by a Kurdish news agency and on twitter, did the Justice Minister take action. His solution: move the children from Pozanti to another overcrowded children’s prison 500 kilometers away from their families and put them in single, camera-monitored cells. As for the three Kurdish reporters who published the story about the abuses, they were arrested a few days ago and charged with being members of a terrorist organization.
April 23 was Children’s Day in Turkey. The Turkish NGO Followers of Justice for Children (ÇİAT) organized a forum in honor of the occasion. At it, a child victim of Turkey’s Anti-Terrorism Laws “who doesn’t prefer to tell his name speaks: ‘We didn’t kill anybody, we didn’t damage to property of anyone. Why are we kept in prison while people selling drugs are walking outside? Nothing happens to the drug-dealers. However, we are put in prison. We are beaten. We do not want to be put in prison any more.’”
When the reporter asked why “he didn’t prefer to tell his name, he reminded [the reporter of] the child who was subjected to 40 years of penalty as he talked to press after he was released from Pozantı Prison.”
If you are interested in the issue of Human Rights in Turkey, consider joining us on our Turkey Regional Action Network on Facebook.

Tags: amnesty international, detention and imprisonment, European Parliament, Followers of Justice for Children, Kurdish children, Pozanti Prison, Turkey

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Experts: Norway mass killer Anders Behring Breivik likely not insane despite committing deadly bomb-and-shooting rampage - CBS News

April 27, 2012 8:15 AM

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Experts: Norway mass killer Anders Behring Breivik likely not insane despite committing deadly bomb-and-shooting rampage

Norwegian right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in twin attacks in Norway last year, arrives at an Oslo courtroom April 27, 2012. (AFP/Getty Images)

Massacre in Norway

(AP) LONDON - Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik is insisting in court that attempts to label him as insane are misplaced — and some psychiatrists agree that simply committing such monstrous crimes does not mean a person is mentally ill.

The far-right, anti-Islam Breivik has already confessed to committing Norway's worst mass murder in a bomb-and-shooting rampage that killed 77 people last July. Whether or not Breivik is sane is at the crux of his ongoing trial and will determine how he is sentenced.

"Everyone's first assumption is that Breivik must be insane because he's done such terrible things," said Dr. Simon Wessely, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London. "But it doesn't automatically follow that he must be mad just because what he has done is inexplicable."

Special Section: Massacre in Norway
Norwegians heckle mass killer with children's song
Breivik listens as witnesses describe "war zone"

In a commentary published Friday in the British medical journal Lancet, Wessely writes that explanation is too simplistic.

For the 33-year-old Norwegian to be schizophrenic — as some psychiatrists have suggested — his actions would have to be the result of delusions, or based on beliefs not shared by others.

"As ghastly as his views are, there are other people in society who believe countries are being destroyed by multiculturalism and Islam," Wessely said.

Breivik's extraordinarily well-organized and methodical massacre also undermines the idea that he was suffering from a serious mental illness.

"It doesn't tally with the kinds of disorganized crimes usually committed by people with mental health problems," Wessely said.

One Norwegian psychiatric report found Breivik to be insane, while a second concluded that he was sane. A panel of judges is hearing weeks of testimony to decide which is correct.

Breivik himself has slammed reports concluding that he is insane, describing them as based on "evil fabrications." He said earlier this week the worst thing that could happen would be for officials to declare he has a mental illness, since that would "delegitimize" everything he stands for.

Breivik claims the attacks were "necessary" and that the victims — many of whom had some ties to the ruling Labor Party — had betrayed Norway by embracing immigration.

Breivik claims to belong to an anti-Muslim militant group inspired by medieval crusaders and working with two other cells in Norway. Investigators have said they don't believe the group exists, and prosecutor Seven Holder noted that the second psychiatric report described it as a "fantasy."

Some experts said the publicly known information about Breivik and his crimes suggest he has a personality disorder, like psychopathy and narcissism. That may also be apparent in Breivik's complete lack of empathy for his victims or his tendency to remain emotionless in court.

"The way he perceives the world is probably within the bounds of normality," said Dr. Paul Keedwell, a psychiatrist at Cardiff University, who has not examined him and was not linked to the Lancet commentary.

"But because of the personality disorder, he may be overwhelmed by a sense of strong anger and indignation when he believes people are not listening to his point of view," he said.

Keedwell said it was difficult to know the cause of Breivik's condition without knowing more about his personal history. He hypothesized the crimes could have been the result of a series of bad decisions after Breivik had his mind "warped" by far-right propaganda.

"The question society has to decide is what part mental illness played and at what point he will be held accountable for his vile actions."

If found guilty and sane, Breivik will face 21 years in prison, though he could be held longer if deemed a danger to society. If declared insane, he would be committed to mandatory psychiatric care.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Anders Breivik, the public, and psychiatry : The Lancet

The Lancet, Volume 379, Issue 9826, Pages 1563 - 1564, 28 April 2012

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60655-2

Cite or Link Using DOI

Anders Breivik, the public, and psychiatry

Simon Wessely a

On July 22, 2011, Anders Breivik detonated a car bomb outside the office of the Norwegian Prime Minister. The explosion killed eight people, and inflicted grievous damage on the infrastructure of the Norwegian Government. If he had done nothing else, that was already the worst act of terrorism in the history of Scandinavia. But as we know he did not stop there. Dressed in a police uniform he drove to Utøya, where he murdered a further 69 people, mainly teenagers attending a summer camp organised by Norway's Labour party's youth league.

In September, 2011, I was asked by the Norwegian Government to join an International Advisory Council tasked with reviewing the emergency response, both medical and psychosocial, to the dreadful events of July 22. Before coming to our conclusions, which were that the “Norwegian Health Service had responded very well to the greatest challenge it had ever faced”,1 we were briefed by many of those intimately involved in the events. We were left in no doubt that the crimes had shaken Norwegian society to the core. Nevertheless, much of the world came to admire the way in which the nation came together to reaffirm its commitment to a tolerant liberal society.2 But people remained perplexed about Breivik himself. What were his motives, and how should justice be done?

When people struggle to comprehend what lies behind the mass murder of adolescents gathered for a weekend of discussions and campfires, the simplest response is that the killer “must be mad”. The inexplicable can only be explained as an act of insanity, which by definition cannot be rationally explained. The act was so monstrous, the consequences so grievous, that the perpetrator had to be insane. Yet whilst I was in Oslo, the country was preparing to learn the results of Breivik's psychiatric examinations and all those who we spoke to were insistent that he should not be regarded as mad. And when, to everyone's surprise including my own, the psychiatrists did indeed state that Breivik was suffering from schizophrenia,3 there was an outcry.4 Such reactions are common. All the psychiatrists who interviewed Peter Sutcliffe, the so-called Yorkshire Ripper in the UK, agreed that he had schizophrenia. Normally this would lead to a finding of diminished responsibility and admission to a secure hospital facility. But despite defence and prosecution being in agreement the Judge insisted that the matter had to be put to a jury, because the general public would feel that otherwise Sutcliffe had escaped punishment.5 In practice it made little difference. Sutcliffe was convicted of murder and sent to prison, but soon transferred to Broadmoor Secure Hospital, where he will end his days. Whether he was being punished in prison, or treated in hospital, there was no doubt that he would never be released, since no Home Secretary would agree to that.

But Norway should be different. Norway is a country with one of the best developed mental health systems in the world.6 It prides itself on its tolerant attitude towards mental disorders. When former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik took leave of absence to be treated for depression in 1998 his career did not come to a halt.7 Offenders diagnosed with mental illness are dealt with within the health, not the criminal justice, system. And if the person then recovered, they would be released from hospital on the authority of the psychiatrists, without the possibility of political interference.8 But tolerance can only go so far, and the majority of the Norwegian public saw a label of schizophrenia as allowing Breivik to avoid having to answer to his crimes, and worse, that a psychiatric diagnosis raised the spectre that he could be free again.9

In fact that was always improbable. Many Norwegians themselves were confused about the checks and balances within their own judicial system. A prosecutor can, although they rarely do, challenge the psychiatrist's decision and the matter be returned to Court. And even if the offender has recovered, the power exists to transfer him to prison indefinitely if judged a continuing threat to society.8 Although at the time of writing the Court's verdict remains unknown, as Breivik gives his chilling testimony in Court the chances that he receives a psychiatric disposal rather than a criminal conviction seem to be receding.

The Breivik case highlights two popular misconceptions. First, that outrageous crimes must mean mental illness. Diagnoses in psychiatry are made on the basis of symptoms and motivations, rather than outcomes. For schizophrenia to explain Breivik's actions, they would have to be the result of delusions. Delusions are beliefs that are not only wrong, in the sense of not corresponding to the world as we know it, but they must also not be shared with others of the same cultural background. A psychiatric classic established that individuals with schizophrenia can identify others as mad, even when they share the same delusions.10

Breivik's views on the evils of multiculturalism, immigration, and the threat of Islam mixed in with nonsense about the Knights Templar and so on, are absurd, reprehensible, and abhorrent, but he is not alone. One fears that in the backwoods of Montana or among those who subscribe to what is loosely called “anti Jihadism” are other people like him, who may also have devoted a summer to playing World of Warcraft and believe that Dan Brown writes history. The meticulous way in which he planned his attacks does not speak to the disorganisation of schizophrenia. My colleagues in forensic psychiatry struggle to think of anyone who has had the foresight to bring along a sign stating “sewer cleaning in progress” to avoid drawing attention to the smell of sulphur from the homemade explosives in the back of his vehicle. If a psychiatric parallel is needed, the closest might be the classic case of German school teacher Ernst Wagner, who murdered 15 people in a small village, and was diagnosed with paranoia, or delusional disorder as it is now known.11

The second misconception is that the purpose of psychiatry is to “get people off”. In the UK, however, if you commit murder and want to spend as little time in detention as you can, putting forward a mental illness defence may mean that you will spend more—not fewer—years behind bars.12 And the forensic psychiatry system is not a soft or popular option either. Most offenders have the same prejudices towards mental illness as the general population, and would rather take their chances in prison than be what they call “nutted off”. Similarly, it is a commonplace observation among British forensic psychiatrists that those who have experienced both prison and hospital often prefer the former because “at least they don't try to do your head in”. The widespread anger when it seemed that Breivik was going to be sent to hospital rather than prison reminds us that liberal attitudes to mental illness are still often only skin deep.

I declare that I have no conflicts of interest.

Full-size image (16K) Corbis

I declare that I have no conflicts of interest.

References

1 International Advisory Council on the Health Sector Response to the Terrorist Attacks of June 22, 2011. Lessons for better preparedness. Health effort after the acts of terror July 22, 2011 [in Norwegian]. http://www.helsedirektoratet.no/publikasjoner/lering-for-bedre-beredskap-/Sider/default.aspx. (accessed April 23, 2012).

2 Orange R. “Answer hatred with love”: how Norway tried to cope with the horror of Anders Breivik. The Observer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/15/anders-breivik-norway-copes-horror. (accessed April 23, 2012).

3 Rettspsykiatrisk erklaering Breivik, Anders f. 130279 [in Norwegian]. http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/TV2/archive/00927/Breivik_rapport_927719a.pdf. (accessed April 23, 2012).

4 Anda LG. Norwegian disbelief at Breivik's insanity. Nov 29, 2011. BBC News World. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15954370. (accessed April 23, 2012).

5 Jenkins P. Serial murder in England 1940—1985. J Crim Justice 1988; 16: 1-15. PubMed

6 Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services. Mental health services in Norway. Prevention—treatment—care. http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/kilde/hod/red/2005/0011/ddd/pdfv/233840-mentalhealthweb.pdf. (accessed April 23, 2012).

7 Bondevik K. Depression and recovery. Interview with Kjell Magne Bondevik by Sarah Mitchell. J Ment Health 2010; 19: 369-372. PubMed

8 Grøndahl P. Scandinavian forensic psychiatric practices : an overview and evaluation. Nord J Psychiatry 2005; 59: 92-102. CrossRef | PubMed

Nord J Psychiatry. 2005;59(2):92-102.

Scandinavian forensic psychiatric practices--an overview and evaluation.

Grøndahl P.

Source

Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. pagron@c2i.net

Abstract

The Scandinavian countries share a social-democratic and humanistic view in that mentally disturbed offenders should not be punished or sentenced to prison if they are considered unaccountable for their actions. The countries differ, however, for example regarding referrals for medico-legal examinations. This article gives: 1) an overview of the Scandinavian forensic psychiatric practices regarding organization, legislation, resources and use of methods, and 2) a study of forensic psychiatric assessment as they are done in the Scandinavian countries. From each country 20 forensic psychiatric court reports concerning male murderers were examined. Each report was scored in five sections: characteristics of the defendant, setting of the observation, acting professions, methods used and premises for the experts' conclusions. Data were summarized with descriptive measures. Danish and Swedish experts had a more frequent use of tests and instruments than Norwegian experts. Swedish experts used the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), and they diagnosed the observant according to DSM-IV. The Scandinavian experts rarely referred to the tests they had applied nor did they refer to any kind of theory or literature as a basis for their conclusion. Only a few reports expressed doubt concerning the validity of the conclusion. Stating all the premises of the forensic psychiatric examination might improve the quality of the reports by doing them more explicit and verifiable. More use of standardized actuarial-based methods and more attention to knowledge about clinical judgmental processes is recommended.

PMID:: 16195105; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9 Korsvold K. The Norwegian system can produce many exonerations.Aftenposten April 13, 2012 [in Norwegian]. http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/22juli/—Det-norske-systemet-kan-gi-mange-feilaktige-frifinnelser-6803402.html. (accessed April 23, 2012).

10 Rokeach M. The three christs of Ypsilanti. New York: Knopf, 1964.

11 Gaupp R. Die wissenschaftliche Bedeutung des “Falles Wagner”. Munchener Medizinische Wochenschrift 1914; 61: 633-637. Translated by Marshall H.. In: Hirsch S, Shepherd M, eds. Themes and variations in European psychiatry: an anthology. Bristol: John Wright, 1974. PubMed

12 Grounds A. The transfer of sentenced prisoners to hospital 1960—83: a study in one special hospital. Br J Criminol 1991; 31: 54-71. PubMed

a Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London Weston Education Centre, London SE5 9RS, UK

Simon Wessely - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Simon Wessely - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Simon Wessely

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Simon Wessely (born Sheffield, 1956) is a British psychiatrist. He is professor of epidemiological and liaison psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and Head of its department of psychological medicine, Vice Dean for Academic Psychiatry, Teaching and Training at the Institute of Psychiatry, as well as Director of the King's Centre for Military Health Research. He is also honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at King's College Hospital and Maudsley Hospital, as well as Civilian Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry to the British Army.^[1]

BBC News - Breivik case 'shows insanity misconceptions'

BBC News - Breivik case 'shows insanity misconceptions'

26 April 2012 Last updated at 20:02 ET

Breivik case 'shows insanity misconceptions'

Anders Behring Breivik, in court in Oslo, 25 April

Breivik has argued he should either be put to death or acquitted

Norway Attacks

Horrific crimes, such as the Anders Breivik case, illustrate the misconceptions the public has about mental illness, a leading expert says.

Professor Simon Wessely, of King's College London, said the simplest responses to mass killings were that the perpetrators "must be mad".

But he said the way Breivik carried out the killings suggested otherwise.

He said the idea a psychiatric diagnosis could help people avoid punishment was wrong too.

Writing in the Lancet medical journal, Professor Wessely said putting forward a mental illness defence in the UK could lead a person to spending more time behind bars than fewer.

"The forensic psychiatry system is not a soft or popular option," he added.
'Meticulous way'
The psychiatrist also said the Breivik case highlighted another misconception - that outrageous crimes must mean mental illness.

"For schizophrenia to explain Breivik's actions, they would have to be the result of delusions."

But he added: "The meticulous way in which he planned his attacks does not speak to the disorganisation of schizophrenia."

Breivik is currently on trial in Norway.

The 33-year-old admits to killing 77 people in Oslo and on Utoeya island last July but denies criminal responsibility.

Two reports have been compiled on his mental state and have come to opposing views on his sanity.

The court's ruling on this will determine whether Breivik is sent to jail or into psychiatric care.

Breivik has argued he is not insane and should either be put to death or acquitted.

Experts: Mass killer Breivik likely not insane | BlueRidgeNow.com

Experts: Mass killer Breivik likely not insane

By MARIA CHENG
AP Medical Writer

Published: Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 7:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 7:06 p.m.

Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik is insisting in court that attempts to label him as insane are misplaced - and some psychiatrists agree that simply committing such monstrous crimes does not mean a person is mentally ill.

Enlarge

Mass killer Anders Behring Breivik, right, stands in the courtroom in Oslo, Norway Thursday April 26, 2012. Breivik has slammed a psychiatric report that declared him insane, insisting it was based on "evil fabrications" meant to portray him as irrational and unintelligent. (AP Photo/Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB Scanpix, Pool)

The far-right, anti-Islam Breivik has already confessed to committing Norway's worst mass murder in a bomb-and-shooting rampage that killed 77 people last July. Whether or not Breivik is sane is at the crux of his ongoing trial and will determine how he is sentenced.

"Everyone's first assumption is that Breivik must be insane because he's done such terrible things," said Dr. Simon Wessely, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London. "But it doesn't automatically follow that he must be mad just because what he has done is inexplicable."

In a commentary published Friday in the British medical journal Lancet, Wessely writes that explanation is too simplistic.

For the 33-year-old Norwegian to be schizophrenic - as some psychiatrists have suggested - his actions would have to be the result of delusions, or based on beliefs not shared by others.

"As ghastly as his views are, there are other people in society who believe countries are being destroyed by multiculturalism and Islam," Wessely said.

Breivik's extraordinarily well-organized and methodical massacre also undermines the idea that he was suffering from a serious mental illness.

"It doesn't tally with the kinds of disorganized crimes usually committed by people with mental health problems," Wessely said.

One Norwegian psychiatric report found Breivik to be insane, while a second concluded that he was sane. A panel of judges is hearing weeks of testimony to decide which is correct.

Breivik himself has slammed reports concluding that he is insane, describing them as based on "evil fabrications." He said earlier this week the worst thing that could happen would be for officials to declare he has a mental illness, since that would "delegitimize" everything he stands for.

Breivik claims the attacks were "necessary" and that the victims - many of whom had some ties to the ruling Labor Party - had betrayed Norway by embracing immigration.

Breivik claims to belong to an anti-Muslim militant group inspired by medieval crusaders and working with two other cells in Norway. Investigators have said they don't believe the group exists, and prosecutor Seven Holder noted that the second psychiatric report described it as a "fantasy."

Some experts said the publicly known information about Breivik and his crimes suggest he has a personality disorder, like psychopathy and narcissism. That may also be apparent in Breivik's complete lack of empathy for his victims or his tendency to remain emotionless in court.

"The way he perceives the world is probably within the bounds of normality," said Dr. Paul Keedwell, a psychiatrist at Cardiff University, who has not examined him and was not linked to the Lancet commentary.

"But because of the personality disorder, he may be overwhelmed by a sense of strong anger and indignation when he believes people are not listening to his point of view," he said.

Keedwell said it was difficult to know the cause of Breivik's condition without knowing more about his personal history. He hypothesized the crimes could have been the result of a series of bad decisions after Breivik had his mind "warped" by far-right propaganda.

"The question society has to decide is what part mental illness played and at what point he will be held accountable for his vile actions."

If found guilty and sane, Breivik will face 21 years in prison, though he could be held longer if deemed a danger to society. If declared insane, he would be committed to mandatory psychiatric care.

---

Online:

http://www.lancet.com

Most Evil - Delusional Thinking - YouTube

Uploaded by DiscoveryID on Oct 13, 2008

What drives a person to think in such a delusional manner? Dr. Stone will try to answer this question by interviewing convicted murderer Diana Dial.

Category:

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2:27 PM 4/26/2012 - Forensic and Prison Psychiatry News Review

Mike Nova's starred items

Mike Nova comments: It means, that ethnic groups sharing geological proximity also share collective ("ethnic, national, aggregate") personality traits; most likely because they share common genetic pool and genetic traits (due to intermarriage). Which is another indirect proof that "national characters" are genetically, biologically determined (although socially "constructed")

via Forensic and General Psychiatry News Review by Mike Nova on 4/26/12

Mike Nova comments: It means, that ethnic groups sharing geological proximity also share collective ("ethnic, national, aggregate") personality traits; most likely because they share common genetic pool and genetic traits (due to intermarriage). Which is another indirect proof that "national characters" are genetically, biologically determined (although socially "constructed").

Personality and place

via British Journal of Psychology by Garry A. Gelade on 3/26/12

This paper examines the distribution of national personality dimensions in geographical space. The relationship between geographical location and aggregate personality in a wide range of nations is quantified using spatial autocorrelation, and it is found that the personalities of nations that are geographical neighbours are more similar than those that are far apart. The five factors of both the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and the Big Five Inventory (BFI), all show a significant degree of spatial organization. The personality factors most strongly associated with geographical location are NEO-PI-R extraversion and BFI conscientiousness; both vary with position around the globe about as much as the physical climate. These findings support previous research suggesting associations between aggregate personality and geography, and imply that the sources of variation in national personality are themselves geographically organized.

Violent convicts still at large

via Prison News on 4/26/12

More than 160 violent criminals and sex offenders are at large in the community despite breaching the terms of their release or committing another offence, figures showed.

#Prison: Cornton Vale inmates with mental health problems should ...

via prison mental health - Google Blog Search by Dawn Willis on 4/26/12

Dawn Really Rates These Valuable Contributors To Mental Wealth! ... #Prison: Cornton Vale inmates with mental health problems should be moved, claims report.#mhuk # ... Posted in Mental Health, The News & Policies.

Forensic Psychiatric Reports - A Lawyer's Perspective

via YouTube Videos matching query: forensic psychiatry by SYPTSPA on 6/3/11

	Forensic Psychiatric Reports - A Lawyer's Perspective Chapter of Psychiatrists Seminar 3rd Jun 2011	From:SYPTSPA Views:30 0ratings
	Time:10:00	More inEducation

Difficulties in Forensic Psychiatric Assessment

via YouTube Videos matching query: forensic psychiatry by SYPTSPA on 6/3/11

	Difficulties in Forensic Psychiatric Assessment Chapter of Psychiatrists Forensic Seminar 3rd Jun 2011	From:SYPTSPA Views:149 1ratings
	Time:10:01	More inEducation

Difficulties in Forensic Psychiatric Assessment Part 2

via YouTube Videos matching query: forensic psychiatry by SYPTSPA on 6/3/11

	Difficulties in Forensic Psychiatric Assessment Part 2 Chapter of Psychiatrists Forensic Seminar 3rd Jun 2011	From:SYPTSPA Views:117 1ratings
	Time:10:01	More inEducation

Difficulties in Forensic Psychiatric Assessment Part 3

via YouTube Videos matching query: forensic psychiatry by SYPTSPA on 6/4/11

	Difficulties in Forensic Psychiatric Assessment Part 3 Chapter of Psychiatrists Forensic Seminar 3rd Jun 2011	From:SYPTSPA Views:44 1ratings
	Time:06:04	More inEducation

Introduction to this Issue: International Perspectives on Juvenile Crime.

via pubmed: forensic psychiatry by Zagar RJ, Busch KG, Felthous AR on 4/26/12

Introduction to this Issue: International Perspectives on Juvenile Crime.
Behav Sci Law. 2012 Mar;30(2):87-9
Authors: Zagar RJ, Busch KG, Felthous AR
PMID: 22496045 [PubMed - in process]

The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS).

via pubmed: forensic psychiatry by Anckarsäter H, Lundström S, Kollberg L, Kerekes N, Palm C, Carlström E, Långström N, Magnusson PK, Halldner L, Bölte S, Gillberg C, Gumpert C, Råstam M, Lichtenstein P on 4/26/12

The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS).
Twin Res Hum Genet. 2011 Dec;14(6):495-508
Authors: Anckarsäter H, Lundström S, Kollberg L, Kerekes N, Palm C, Carlström E, Långström N, Magnusson PK, Halldner L, Bölte S, Gillberg C, Gumpert C, Råstam M, Lichtenstein P
Abstract
The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS) is an ongoing longitudinal twin study targeting all twins born in Sweden since July 1, 1992. Since 2004, parents of twins are interviewed regarding the children's somatic and mental health and social environment in connection with their 9th or 12th birthdays (CATSS-9/12). By January 2010, 8,610 parental interviews concerning 17,220 twins had been completed, with an overall response rate of 80%. At age 15 (CATSS-15) and 18 (CATSS-18), twins and parents complete questionnaires that, in addition to assessments of somatic and mental health, include measures of personality development and psychosocial adaptation. Twin pairs in CATSS-9/12 with one or both twins screening positive for autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, tic disorders, developmental coordination disorder, learning disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and/or eating problems have been followed with in-depth questionnaires on family, social environment and personality, and subsequently by clinical assessments at age 15 together with randomly selected population controls, including 195 clinically assessed twin pairs from the first 2 year cohorts (CATSS-15/DOGSS). This article describes the cohorts and study groups, data collection, and measures used. Prevalences, distributions, heritability estimates, ages at onset, and sex differences of mental health problems in the CATSS-9/12, that were analyzed and found to be overall comparable to those of other clinical and epidemiological studies. The CATSS study has the potential of answering important questions on the etiology of childhood mental health problems and their role in the development of later adjustment problems.
PMID: 22506305 [PubMed - in process]

See more of Mike Nova's starred items ...

Elderly Sexual Offenders: Two Unusual Cases*

via pubmed: forensic psychiatry by Carabellese F, Candelli C, Vinci F, Tamma M, Catanesi R on 4/26/12

Elderly Sexual Offenders: Two Unusual Cases*
J Forensic Sci. 2012 Apr 17;
Authors: Carabellese F, Candelli C, Vinci F, Tamma M, Catanesi R
Abstract
The aim of this case report is to describe two cases of sexual abuse by elderly subjects for which the Judge commissioned an expert psychiatric-forensic opinion. The elderly are generally believed to commit nonviolent crimes, whereas the two cases we observed feature forcible rape committed by elderly offenders, who showed no form of mental disease and had rationally planned their offense. They had never previously committed similar acts and had no history of homosexuality; both had been married for many years before the death of their wives and had adult children. Finally, no previous episodes of rape emerged in their personal histories during interrogations. The sociocultural context in which the crimes were committed was identical and arouses interest as regards both the method employed and how the crimes were discovered. The legal authorities then commissioned accurate investigations including medicolegal and psychiatric-forensic evaluations of the offenders and their victims.
PMID: 22509748 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Professional News

via PsychiatryOnline | Topics | Forensic Psychiatry on 4/25/12

Professional NewsUCSF Program Designed to Improve Public-Sector Care

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MH Courts for Youth Show Promise but Need Study

via PsychiatryOnline | Topics | Forensic Psychiatry on 4/26/12

MH Courts for Youth Show Promise but Need Study

This post has been generated by Page2RSS

In recent years, dozens of jurisdictions around the country have

via PsychiatryOnline | Psychiatric News | Topics | Forensic Psychiatry on 4/25/12

In recent years, dozens of jurisdictions around the country have established juvenile mental health courts, but their strengths and weaknesses have yet to be assessed.Abstract Teaser

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“Actions Involuntary, Instinctive, Irresistible”: The Disordered Will of the 19th Century

via Psychiatric Times on 4/19/12

Psychology and psychiatry at the turn of the last century considered the will an indispensable category. Not so today.

Legislators wary about recovery propose big cuts for state prison system - Detroit Free Press

via prisons - Google News on 4/25/12

Legislators wary about recovery propose big cuts for state prison system
Detroit Free Press
By Paul Egan LANSING -- The state would close and privatize a 1300-bed prison in Ionia and three juvenile detention facilities and make significant cuts to prison support staff under budget bills moving quickly through the Legislature.

and more »

Prisons urged to use technology to fight drug smuggling - Vancouver Sun

via prisons - Google News on 4/26/12

Prisons urged to use technology to fight drug smuggling
Vancouver Sun
A parliamentary committee is encouraging further exploration of the use of technology, including cell-phone-jamming devices, as a way to combat the smuggling of drugs into Canada's prisons. Critics fear, however, that signal-jamming devices could ...
Cellphone jamming may limit smuggling of drugs in prisonsVictoria Times Colonist
MPs ponder ways to block contraband inmate cellphonesCanada.com

all 12 news articles »

Prisons Hit Hard By Malaria - AllAfrica.com

via prisons - Google News on 4/26/12

Prisons Hit Hard By Malaria
AllAfrica.com
By Petride Mudoola, 26 April 2012 There is an alarming spread of malaria in prisons, the medical superintendent at Murchison Bay hospital, Dr Joseph Andama has said. "Malaria infection in prisons is much higher than the national prevalency rate due to ...

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From political schemer to prison reformer: The life of Chuck Colson remembered - Las Vegas Review-Journal

via prisons - Google News on 4/26/12

The Way

From political schemer to prison reformer: The life of Chuck Colson remembered
Las Vegas Review-Journal
By ARAcontent In 1974 the Watergate scandal sent Chuck Colson, White House special counsel and self-described "hatchet man," to federal prison. After experiencing a conversion to evangelical Christianity - a metamorphosis so improbable he later joked ...
Religion: Why Colson spent Easter in prisonsThe Republic
Cal Thomas: Chuck Colson's transformation was the real dealDelmarva Daily Times
Chuck Colson fought for the forgottenCNN
The Way -Wall Street Journal -Washington Post (blog)
all 74 news articles »

See more of Mike Nova's starred items ...

Mike Nova comments: It means, that ethnic groups sharing geological proximity also share collective ("ethnic, national, aggregate") personality traits; most likely because they share common genetic pool and genetic traits (due to intermarriage). Which is another indirect proof that "national characters" are genetically, biologically determined (although socially "constructed")

Personality and place

via British Journal of Psychology by Garry A. Gelade on 3/26/12

Friday, April 27, 2012

Kurdish Kids and Turkey’s Shameful Prisons