Abstract

Research has suggested one prevailing commonality between mental illness and crime, and that is there is an associative correlation between the two. This association between mental illness and crime has been found in prison figures, reoffending rates, and across criminal offences. However, despite the considerable body of research, there is still no precise understanding of the relationship between mental illness and offending. Recent findings suggest that mental illness is rising amongst prison populations, so it is important to expand empirical understanding of the relationship between offending and mental health. This article aims to critically examine some of the main empirical findings on the relationship between mental illness and offending.

Keywords: crime, mental illness

How to Cite:

Gilbert, H. J., (2018) “Criminal minds”, New Vistas 4(1), 36-39. doi: https://doi.org//uwl.63