Mental health
is an urgent and growing concern within the criminal justice system. The high prevalence
of mental health concerns among those interacting with the criminal justice
system highlights the importance of developing and implementing evidence-based,
informed and culturally competent mental health-related policy.
This is the first book in Aotearoa New Zealand that focuses on mental
health policy and law at different stages of the criminal justice process. Bridging
academic insight and practical application, the book takes a critical,
rights-based and multidisciplinary approach, engaging with law, criminology,
psychology and political science to explore the realities of how mental health
intersects with justice in policy, practice and lived experience.
Chapters 1 to 5
frame the topic of mental health in criminal justice by contextualising mental
health and criminal justice in New Zealand in light of its history of mental
health care, and discussing Maori understandings of mental health and criminal
justice, the role of criminological theories of crime, the philosophy of
punishment and human rights considerations. Chapters 6 to 10 discuss mental
health as it relates to discrete aspects of the criminal justice system –
namely police, the criminal trial process, criminal law, expert evidence and
prisons. Chapter 11 covers the mental health of victims, while Chapter 12
focuses on the mental health of criminal justice professionals. Lastly, Chapter
13 discusses current developments and future directions in mental health and
criminal justice in New Zealand.
The book is aimed at third year and postgraduate students and will
appeal to students of criminal justice, law, sociology, criminology, psychology
and psychiatry. It will also be a valuable resource for people working in the
mental health and criminal justice space, including lawyers, policy makers,
forensic experts, corrections, police, victim advocacy services, citizens
advice, mental health services and other related parties or organisations – as
well as anyone navigating the criminal justice system.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 270
Imprint: Canterbury University Press
Publication date: 02/10/2025
