Consider the case of the Texas mother, Andrea Yates, who was convicted of killing her five children in 2002. She was clearly psychotic, suffering from schizophrenia and depression. Would you find her guilty and send her to prison? Or would you find her not guilty by reason of insanity and commit her to a mental hospital?

Critical Thinking Questions

1. If removing the stigma of mental illness increases the odds of the mentally ill seeking professional help and receiving treatment, what social factors are preventing de-stigmatization?
2. Consider the case of the Texas mother, Andrea Yates, who was convicted of killing her five children in 2002. She was clearly psychotic, suffering from schizophrenia and depression. Would you find her guilty and send her to prison? Or would you find her not guilty by reason of insanity and commit her to a mental hospital? Provide an argument and rationale for your answer.
3. Given the prevalence of mental illness among jail and prison populations, coupled with the perpetual issue of limited funds and deficit spending, how would you recommend that policy makers begin to address this issue? What is the first crucial step? Why?