Research Catalog

Title

The hidden prejudice : mental disability on trial / Michael L. Perlin.

Author

Perlin, Michael L., 1946-

Publication

Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, c2000.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

xxv, 329 p.; 27 cm.

Summary

In this book, the author reveals a pattern of prejudice against mentally disabled individuals that keeps them from receiving equal treatment under the law. Sanism, like racism, is a prejudice against a minority population. This mostly hidden prejudice against mentally ill people has pervaded Western culture throughout history, and the author documents how sanism continues to affect our culture and legal system. Under the pretext of "improving" society, a judge, lawyer, or fact-finder may ignore faulty evidence. This testimonial dishonesty is often based on the false belief that the mentally disabled are not responsible or intelligent enough to deserve the full rights of citizenship. The author argues that these are sanist decisions and explores the roots and results of these decisions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved).

Series Statement

Law and public policy

Uniform Title

Law and public policy

Subject

• Insanity (Law) > United States
• Insanity Defense
• Mental Disorders
• Mental health laws > United States
• United States

Genre/Form

Legislation

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

1. Sanism and pretextuality. Setting the stage : why mental disability is on trial -- On sanism -- On pretextuality. 2. The sanist and pretextual roots of mental disability law. Involuntary civil commitment law -- The right to treatment -- The right to refuse treatment -- The right to sexual interaction -- The Americans with Disabilities Act -- The competence to plead guilty and the competence to waive counsel -- The insanity defense -- The federal sentencing guidelines. 3. Therapeutic jurisprudence : exposing sanism and pretextuality. Exposing the prejudice -- Unpacking mental disability law.

ISBN

1557986169 (alk. paper)

LCCN

^^^99037969^

OCLC

41674392

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library