Question

What are the arguments for and against having the Guilty But Mentally Ill verdict?

Answer 1

There is a controversial debate on whether the mentally ill who have committed crimes, should be punished or not. Let's see some arguments for not punishing the mentally ill.

Punishing the mentally ill can sometimes worsen their symptoms. Just like how physical illness if not treated can deteriorate health, same applies to mental health. Some major disorders like psychosis need to be treated and by keeping the patient imprisoned may simply lead to an increase in the symptoms and deteriorate the patient's condition more.

However there are some who advocate the stance that mentally ill should also receive the same punishment that a normal person without any disorder would. Let's see the arguments for this stance.

People have this opinion mainly because of keeping the victim's condition in mind. They demand that justice should be kept above everything and that justice is what matters for the victim of the crime.

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