Katey Thom

Media Coverage of Homicide Involving Mentally Disordered Offenders: A Matched Comparison Study

Research highlights the distorted nature of print media reporting of both mental illness and homicide. However there are few studies that focus exclusively on the media depiction of homicide perpetrated by mentally ill offenders. The aim of this study was to compare the print media coverage of homicides involving mentally disordered offenders found ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’(NGRI) with a matched sample of homicides involving convicted offenders who did not have a mental illness at the time of the offence. Articles covering twenty cases of NGRI homicide and convicted homicide between 1996 and 2000 in New Zealand were analyzed (N = 207). Coverage of NGRI homicide was more inclined to be highlighted with bold sensationalized titles and photographs; and to attract comments by the friends and relatives of the victims close to the time of the homicide. Furthermore, the past private life of the mentally ill offender was more likely to be revealed and partial blame apportioned to external agencies linked to the event. We conclude that such revelations profile the NGRI offender giving the person a public identity, which assists in etching the event in the public mind.

Reporting of suicide by the New Zealand media

BACKGROUNDnRates of suicide in New Zealand are high compared with those of other countries. International evidence suggests that the reporting of suicide may influence rates of suicidal behavior. No research exists, however, on the reporting of suicide by New Zealand media.nnnAIMSnThis study provides the first baseline picture of the reporting of suicide by New Zealand media. The overall objective was to use the findings to inform future development of media guidelines by the Ministry of Health.nnnMETHODnNewspaper, Internet, television and radio news items on suicide were collected over 12 months. Descriptive statistical data on the nature and extent of the reporting of suicide were generated through content analysis of applicable items. A random sample of 10% was then subjected to a quality analysis to determine whether items aligned with the Ministry of Healths guideline for the reporting of suicide.nnnRESULTSnA total of 3,483 items were extracted, most of which reported on an individuals attempted or completed suicide, while suicide methods were not often mentioned. Few items focused on people overcoming their difficulties or provided information to assist people struggling with suicidal ideation.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe reporting of suicide by New Zealand media was extensive and generally of good quality. Better collaboration between the media and mental health professionals is needed, however, to increase information supplied within items on support services. More succinct guidelines and increased journalist awareness of their existence would also contribute to the quality of reporting on suicide.

Return to nursing programmes: justifications for a mental health specific course.

This paper presents the findings from research that investigated the feasibility of developing a specialty return to mental health nursing programme in New Zealand. This was achieved through a scoping of existing return to nursing programmes; a survey of non-active nurses; and stakeholder consultation via interviews or focus groups. Existing generic programmes fail to attract non active nurses wishing to focus on mental health nursing. The non-active nurses survey found 142 nurses who presently would or might possibly return to mental health nursing and participate in a programme. Most stakeholders supported the idea of implementing such a programme. The findings from this research indicate both feasibility and enthusiasm for the introduction of return to mental health nursing programmes. It is recommended that all aspects of this course mirror the service user focused recovery paradigm that is a central tenet in contemporary mental health service delivery.

Service Users' Experiences of Voluntary Admission to Mental Hospital: A Review of Research Literature

Australia and New Zealand are committed to upholding the rights of people who experience mental illness and providing a “recovery” approach to service delivery. These have far-reaching implications for acute inpatients, many of whom are admitted voluntarily. In order to inform future research in these two countries, this review aimed to identify literature pertaining to the experiences of people admitted voluntarily to acute adult mental health facilities. Literature was limited to studies in English published between 1993 and 2013. Perceived coercion was the focus of most studies, many of which reported that voluntary service users do not always experience their admission and treatment as strictly voluntary. Two smaller bodies of literature reported that service users were limited in their ability to make informed choices and had poor knowledge of their rights and legal status. Further research on informed consent, knowledge of rights, and access to advocacy is warranted.

The Evolution of Problem-Solving Courts in Australia and New Zealand: A Trans-Tasman Comparative Perspective

This chapter provides an overview of problem-solving courts currently in operation in Australia and New Zealand. We explore how the evolution of the problem-solving courts has been shaped by the localized needs of the justice, health, and social service sectors and the dynamic academic, legal, and professional cultures of these countries. The recognition that many people coming before court do not have a single problem that can be identified as the sole cause of offending is highlighted and we illustrate that this has led some Australian states, and New Zealand, to develop integrated programs that address multiple and complex problems more holistically. We argue that a key issue integral to the longevity of problem-solving courts is the ability of the legal, health, and social services sectors to better address issues of coexisting mental health and addiction problems, develop integrated services, and achieve effective collaboration between the various sectors. Collaboration is a multifaceted concept that is integral to the successful operation of problem-solving courts but may be hard to achieve because of the complexities of the wider health and social service systems. We argue that collaboration is a concept that has not yet adequately been explored in the literature or in the practice of these courts. However, we suggest ways in which problem-solving courts can bring about meaningful and effective interdisciplinary collaboration between the legal, health, and welfare sectors beyond paying lip service to the concept.

Mindfulness-based interventions for youth in the criminal justice system: a review of the research-based literature

Mindfulness is a technique and sense of being present in the moment that incorporates aspects of acceptance, openness and meditation with the ultimate intention of improving well-being. Research indicates that mindfulness can significantly improve negative personality traits, reduce stress, increase attention, alleviate chronic pain and enhance mental health. Mindfulness-based interventions in correctional facilities have resulted in reduced hostility and improved self-esteem for adults, but less is known about its applicability amongst youth. This article reviews the research-based literature on the use of mindfulness-based interventions for youths (aged 13 to 24 years) involved in the justice system. A total of ten studies were located and synthesised into four themes of stress reduction, self-regulation, anger management and acceptance. The article concludes by considering the methodological rigour of the reviewed studies, providing recommendations for future research and contemplating the positive impact that mindfulness interventions might have on youth in the criminal justice system.

Police and mental health responses to mental health crisis in the Waikato region of New Zealand

New Zealand police report a high level of involvement with people in mental health crisis, something that has been reported in the international literature in recent decades. Involvement of police represents a coercive pathway to care and is likely to be associated with use of force. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical, legal, and social characteristics of individuals subject to police response in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Data were also collected on characteristics of police response, including use of force, time of day, and disposition. Use of force, most commonly use of handcuffs, occurred in 78% of cases involving police. The study showed that Māori were overrepresented in police responses, but no more likely than Europeans to experience use of force. Almost half those subject to police response were not subsequently admitted to hospital, raising questions about the need for and nature of police response in these cases. Because mental health nurses are often part of police response, nurses need to take cognisance of their relationship with police and contribute to any initiatives that can reduce coercion in the pathway to care, and improve service users experience in mental health crises.

Sharing power in criminal justice: The potential of co-production for offenders experiencing mental health and addictions in New Zealand

Co-production has begun to make inroads into research, policy, and practice in mental health and addictions. Little is known, however, about the role co-production has or could have in shaping how the criminal justice system responds to mental health and addictions. Given that a large majority of prisoners in Aotearoa New Zealand have been diagnosed with either a mental health or substance use disorder within their lifetime, it is imperative alternative approaches are considered if we are to reduce the high imprisonment rates and contribute positively to health, safety, and well-being of all New Zealanders. In this study, we explore how co-production has been conceptualized and used in criminal justice systems internationally, and offer an experiential account of our first steps into co-production both in service delivery and research. We conclude by proposing a way forward to expand partnerships between those who have experience-based expertise and researchers within the criminal justice context, offering a small- and large-scale project as potential examples of what co-production may look like in this space.

A Systematic Review of Literature Relating to Problem-Solving Youth Courts

This article presents the results of a systematic review of empirical studies of problem-solving youth courts. Some of the 24 studies reviewed showed positive effects of court processes and others showed few substantial benefits in comparison with other kinds of programme. In general, the studies were not necessarily guided by a coherent research strategy. The article concludes by suggesting that a therapeutic jurisprudence evaluation model suggested by Wiener et al. could be applied to future youth problem-solving court research to assist in understanding youth problem-solving court processes and outcomes [Wiener, R.L., Winick, B.J., Skovran Georges, L., & Castro, A. (2010). A testable theory of problem solving courts: Avoiding past empirical and legal failures. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 33, 417–427].

'They're Not Really Doing "Normal" Psychiatry': The Socio-Legal Shaping of Psychiatric Expertise in Insanity Trials

The use of psychiatric expertise in criminal trials has generally been construed as problematic despite the fact that there remains little in-depth research in this area. Qualitative research on other forensic experts has indicated the existing literature on psychiatric expert testimony may be simplifying the dynamics that occur in practice between psychiatry and law. This article draws on data generated from 31 qualitative interviews and medico-legal documentation to explore the socio-legal shaping of forensic psychiatrists expertise during insanity trials in New Zealand. It describes how the hybrid features of the insanity defence shape forensic psychiatrists practices in this context to the point that their performances as expert witnesses cannot be adequately described as doing ‘normal psychiatry’. Rather, adding to the existing body of social studies of forensic expertise, the article exemplifies how the forensic psychiatrists practices are inextricably linked to the legal context in which they are operating. It concludes by demonstrating that the ‘art’ of forensic psychiatry involves managing the hybrid nature of the expertise they provide in cases of insanity.