Mental Abnormality and Crime
- Author:
Radzinowicz and J. W. C. Turner. Macmillan. 18s.
This is an important volume containing an introduction by Professor P. H. Winfield and 13 essays by recognized psychological experts with experience of criminology. It is pointed out that punishment used to demand payment for the wrong done, then the infliction of pain on the wrongdoer so as to deter him from repeating the offence or others from imitating him. Nowadays a more subjective attitude is being taken so that the welfare and reform of the criminal are considered. This leads to the conception of partial responsibility and the infliction of the indeterminate curative sentence. The first essay is by Brig. Rees who stresses the importance of diagnosis before treatment. He classifies delinquents into (1) those suffering from physical disease including mental deficiency and encephalitis lethargica, (2) Psychotics, (3) those influenced by other psychological motivations which may be trivial; simple (example of others, etc.); reaction character traits (aggression to inferiority or punishment, etc.), these are generally stubborn and proud of their delinquencies; or psychoneurotics (compulsions, etc.), these are ashamed of their delinquencies. In the second essay Dr McNiven deals with the psychoses, and, after a clinical description of various forms of psychotic delinquents, gives an excellent discussion of criminal responsibility. He points out the difficulty of the general application of the McNaghten rules owing to the vagueness of the conception of mental illness. He suggests that the questions requiring answer are (1) Did the prisoner commit the act, (2) If he did was he at the time insane, (3) If he was not insane has it nevertheless been proved that his crime was unrelated to mental disorder.
Air Commodore Gillespie deals with the relationship of psychoneurosis with crime and points out the frequent similarity of the genesis of psychoneurotic and criminal behaviour. To rank crime as psychoneurotic there must be no really significant gain to the perpetrator, or the apparent gain must be shown not to be the real meaning of the act for the individual. The crime must be shown to be the outcome of conflict and the actual crime to be a substitute for or a compromise between the opposing tendencies. Other psychoneurotic symptoms should be demonstrable in the criminal.
Dr E. O. Lewis points out that crime is not common amongst M.D.s, but if it occurs it is due not so much to a defect of intellect as a defect of temperament. Professor Henderson in dealing with Psychopathic constitution points out that people so diagnosed are not mentally deficient or certifiably insane, but are either predominantly aggressive or predominantly inadequate. They are especially the people who may be held in accordance with Lord Alness’s judgment only partially responsible, and they require an indeterminate sentence since they so frequently become recidivists.
Dr MacCalman discusses traumatic factors in relation to workmen’s compensation. Although courts readily accept the idea of neurosis being the result of a single shock, this is seldom the case for a psychoneurotic soil can always be found. Neither work nor lump sum payment is a panacea since light work has no meaning nowadays, and financial worry especially for the future is a potent factor in prolonging the illness. He discusses the difficult problem of post-concussional neurosis in relation to compensation.
Dr Norwood East reviews the theories of the physical criminal type and is of opinion that there is nothing conclusive or helpful to be got out of such studies. He is sure that sterilization of criminals would have no effect. Dr Scott discusses the pharmacology of alcohol, and concludes that although alcohol is often associated with crime it is not its sole cause and abolition of alcohol would not abolish crime.
Dr East gives an excellent summary of sexual psychopathology. Such cases require prolonged treatment, but prison is not the place for it and special institutions may be needed.
The section on juvenile delinquency is weak. Dr. Pearce deals with the physical and mental features of juvenile crime, and Dr Emanuel Miller With limited researches on Social and Family influences and the problem of birth order.
Dr Rudolf deals with the psychological reactions of the recruit to military life and their relations to military crime which is more extensive than civil crime in view of special regulations.
Dr Glover gives a good description of the origin, work and results of the Institute for the Scientific Treatment of Delinquency, and finally Dr Craig describes the Exeter Child Guidance Clinic, though this should not be taken as exactly a typical clinic.
Altogether the book is packed with useful up-to-date information and helpful suggestions, and should be read by all those interested in social welfare. R.D.G.
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