Clearer guidelines issued in UK for sentencing offenders with mental health disorders

July 22: Clearer guidelines have been published for courts sentencing offenders who have schizophrenia, depression or other mental disorders.

The Sentencing Council, an independent body which works to make sentencing rules more consistent, has issued guidance to judges and magistrates in England and Wales which will come into force from 1 October, The Guardian reported.

The advice will also cover cases where a defendant at the time of the offence and/or at the time of sentencing has post-traumatic stress disorder, developmental conditions such as autism and learning disabilities and neurological impairments such as some brain injuries or dementia.

Such cases are increasingly common in the courts but no formal guidance previously existed, according to the council.

It said:

Sentencing Council member Judge Rosa Dean said the guidelines would “make sure that courts have the relevant information when sentencing offenders with mental disorders to make sure their rights and needs are balanced with protecting the public, and the right of victims and families to feel safe”.

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/jul/22/clearer-guidelines-issued-for-sentencing-offenders-with-mental-health-disorders