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Here are some examples from the case studies to illustrate the difference between mental illness and criminality:

In the case of John Hinckley Jr., who shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981, Hinckley was diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity, meaning that the court determined that he was unable to understand the wrongfulness of his actions due to his mental illness. In this case, Hinckley’s mental illness was a major factor in his crime, but it did not absolve him of all responsibility.

In the case of Andrew Huberman, who killed three people in a shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, in 2015, Huberman was described by friends and family as having a history of mental health problems. However, he was never formally diagnosed with a mental illness. In this case, it is possible that Huberman’s mental health problems contributed to his crime, but it is also possible that there were other factors involved.

The criminal justice system has traditionally addressed offenders with mental health issues by either incarcerating them in prison or releasing them back into the community. In prison, offenders with mental health issues often receive inadequate treatment, and they are more likely to be victims of violence and sexual assault. In the community, offenders with mental health issues often lack access to the treatment and support they need, which can increase their risk of reoffending.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to reform the way the criminal justice system addresses offenders with mental health issues. This movement has led to the development of diversion programs, which aim to divert offenders with mental health issues away from the criminal justice system and into treatment and support programs. Diversion programs have been shown to be effective in reducing recidivism rates among offenders with mental health issues.

Here are some examples from the case studies to illustrate how the contemporary criminal justice system is addressing offenders who commit crimes due to mental health issues:

In the case of John Hinckley Jr., Hinckley was committed to a psychiatric hospital after his acquittal by reason of insanity. He remains in the hospital to this day.

In the case of Andrew Huberman, Huberman was found guilty of three counts of murder and sentenced to death. However, his execution has been stayed pending an appeal of his conviction.

These two cases illustrate the different ways in which the contemporary criminal justice system can address offenders who commit crimes due to mental health issues. In some cases, offenders may be committed to psychiatric hospitals, while in other cases, they may be incarcerated in prison. The decision of how to address an offender with a mental health issue depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the offender’s mental illness, the nature of the crime they committed, and the risk they pose to public safety.

In addition to diversion programs, the contemporary criminal justice system is also increasingly using mental health courts. Mental health courts are specialized courts that handle cases involving offenders with mental health issues. Mental health courts focus on providing offenders with treatment and support, rather than simply punishing them. Mental health courts have been shown to be effective in reducing recidivism rates among offenders with mental health issues.

Overall, the contemporary criminal justice system is taking a more holistic approach to addressing offenders with mental health issues. This approach is based on the recognition that mental illness is a medical condition that requires treatment, and that offenders with mental health issues are often at risk of reoffending if they do not receive the treatment and support they need.