Mental Health and Our Legal System

Mental Health and Our Legal System

For this discussion, read the following case vignette and answer the questions below. Use information from professional sources to support your thinking:

Sarah is serving 5 years for illegal drug trafficking, possession, and abuse; this is her fourth offense and second time being incarcerated. Sarah has also been diagnosed with having schizophrenia. She refuses to take her prescription medications and tries to self-medicate with illegal drugs. While incarcerated, Sarah continues to refuse her medication and treatment but often has episodes as a result of her illness. The prison guards, not being trained on mental illness, interpret her behavior as being noncompliant and difficult.

  • What ethical concerns are there with regards to the right to refuse treatment?
  • How do laws affect treatment of inmates with mental illness in regard to the right to refuse treatment?
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