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Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this book documents and explains how, when and why adults and children with mental disabilities—including those with sexual disorders— who are perceived to be a future danger to others, the community, or themselves have become the most stigmatized, abused, and mistreated group in America, and what should be done to correct the resulting injustices. The author identifies and analyzes the key factors that should be understood when lawyers, judges, mental health professionals, policymakers, legislators, advocates, forensic experts, professors and their students consider the legal, treatment and policy decisions that affect this highly stigmatized group of people.
List of contents
Preface
Introduction
1: Persons with Mental Disabilities and the American Legal System:
A History of Discrimination, Abuse and Mistreatment
2: Sanism and America's Exaggerated Fear of Violence
3: Sanist Words and Language in the American Legal System:
"Dangerousness," "The Right to Treatment" and "Civil" Versus "Criminal"
4: Predictions of Dangerousness in the Courtroom:
Unreliable, Inaccurate and Misleading
5: Accusations Based on the Unknowable:
Predictions of Dangerousness in Civil and Criminal Proceedings
6: Dangerousness and The Unconscionable Failure to Provide Humane Care and Treatment To Persons With Mental Disabilities
7: An Extremely Suspect Classification
8: A New System of State and Federal Laws and Public Health Approaches for Persons with Mental Disabilities Deemed to Be Dangerous: Initial Recommendations
Bibliography
About the author
John Weston Parry is a lawyer, writer, and former substantive legal editor with many years of experience covering issues related to sports, mental health law, and disability rights. He has been the host and primary content provider for the website and blog, Sportpathogies.com since 2016.He also is the author of The Athlete’s Dilemma: Sacrificing Health for Wealth and Fame (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017) and Mental Disability, Violence, Future Dangerousness: Myths Behind the Presumption of Guilt (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013). In addition, he is a past recipient of the Manfred Guttmacher Award from the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.
