Here is one more example of life imitating art. In Anthony Burgess' novel Clockwork Orange, prisoners were offered freedom if they submitted to behavior conditioning. This turned out to be a far worse form of punishment. Consider other abuses by criminals who exploit mental illness to avoid criminal liability. Most offensive is the idea that psychiatric treatment is an alternative to punishment. How can treatment be punishment?
[From article]
"Defendants approved for the program -- so far none have been -- would plead guilty and agree to a court-mandated course of treatment, at the end of which the charges would either be reduced or dismissed, said Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman."
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/severely_mentally_ill_defendants_ceeOlP7McaTh9RcHy5S08L
Severely mentally ill defendants to have own Manhattan courtroom
By LAURA ITALIANO
New York Post
Last Updated: 10:42 PM, March 16, 2011
Posted: 6:20 PM, March 16, 2011
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