This disproves the premise that there is a relationship between criminal behaviour and mental

illness. Several confounding variables are ignored by the researchers, which are linked to violent and
criminal occurrences and are misunderstood as mental problems. This exaggeration and
overrepresentation has instilled in the public a concern that all mentally ill persons are criminals and
aggressive, which is untrue. People who are mentally ill are more aggressive against themselves than
others.

Although statistics and research reveal that the amount of crimes perpetrated by mentally ill persons
is relatively low, it is a reality that many of the inmates in American jails are mentally ill. Some
previous events suggested that mental illnesses might constitute a persistent, although unknown,
risk factor for the occurrence of violence. Refuting that mental illness and violence are related in any
way is disingenuous and ultimately useless, because there have been cases in the past where
mentally ill persons have committed crimes. It is dishonest and ultimately futile to deny that mental
illness and violence are linked in any way, because there have been examples in the past where
mentally ill people have committed crimes.

Criminal laws include provisions for the prosecution and trial of those who are mentally ill or have an
intellectual handicap. When such people commit a crime, are arrested, and go through the criminal
justice system, they are treated differently than regular offenders. The insufficiency of the mind is
utilised as a shield against a criminal prosecution under the legislation for mentally ill individuals in
the criminal justice system. These statutes are applied in such a way that a person charged of
criminal offences is deemed unfit to enter a plea.

Furthermore, due to their mental illnesses, they are not considered criminals. As a result, they are
classified as forensic patients who are treated in mental institutions or asylums. Many mental health
courts have been formed, and Court Liasion services have been formed to examine a person's
mental condition and treatment options. Many jurisdictions have established mental health
tribunals to review forensic patients' incarceration. People with mental illnesses are diverted from
prison to mental hospitals, where they can get treatment. As a result, there are several areas in the
criminal justice system that can assist criminals with mental illnesses..