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21 J. Psychiatry & L. 191 (1993)
Reviewing the Guilty bu Mentally Ill Alternative: A Case of the Blind Pleading the Blind

handle is hein.journals/jpsych21 and id is 201 raw text is: The Journal of Psychiatry & Law/Summer 1993 Reviewing the guilty but mentally ill alternative: a case of the blind pleading the blind BY KURT M. BUMBY, M.A. In response to criticisms of the traditional insanity defense, the guilty but mentally ill (GBMI) verdict option was developed and is currently operating in approximately one-fourth of the states. Proponents claim that several goals are achieved with GBMI verdicts: (1) inappropriate insanity findings are reduced; (2) offenders are held criminally responsible; (3) jury deliberations are simplified, as GBMI offers a compromise verdict; (4) the public receives greater protection from dangerous offenders; and (5) treatment of mentally ill offenders is provided. However, the present review of the literature suggests that these goals are far from being achieved. Insanity findings are not reduced, offenders are more likely to deny responsibility, and jury deliberations are likely to be more confusing when GBMI is utilized. Further, persons found GBMI are often placed on probation and are not assured of treatment either in or out of prison. It is suggested that numerous misperceptions surround the GBMI option, allowing for its continued use despite clear evidence of its inadequacies. Q 1993 by Federal Legal Publications, Inc.

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