Rituals, Stigma and Mental Health Courts

• In Event: 573 - Section on Sociology of Mental Health Paper Session. Law, Crime and Mental Illness

Abstract

A growing trend in the criminal justice system is the move toward problem-solving courts as an alternative to traditional models of criminal justice. While there is mounting research on how problem-solving courts work and are reshaping the criminal justice system, there is limited research on the specific case of Mental Health Courts (MHCs). In addition, the research on MHCs is more evaluation than process oriented. MHCs are specialty courts that explicitly recognize the nexus between mental illness and criminality. Given the large number of people with serious mental illness in the CJS this is an important trend to examine. This paper seeks to provide a better understanding of the process of MHCs through case studies of two MHCs in the Seattle area. The qualitative data combines detailed field observations of court proceedings and qualitative interviews with MHC professional staff from Regional (King Country) Mental Health Court and Seattle Municipal Mental Health Court. The qualitative data reveals that rituals play a key role in understanding the everyday workings – culture and structure – of both MHCs. Relying on insights from Durkheim and Goffman, the benefits of rituals and focus of rituals toward non-stigmatizing ends in MHC are discussed. A discussion of the implications of the findings for ongoing research on problem-solving courts, specifically Mental Health Courts is provided.

Author

• Karen A. Snedker, Seattle Pacific University