An Analysis of Missouri's Insanity Acquittee Population, 1980–2009: Differences Within African American Insanity Acquittees

Abstract

Research regarding African Americans in the correctional and mental health systems has focused on potential disparities based upon ethnicity. Little research has analyzed within-group differences of this population. The current study analyzed 30 years of insanity acquittee data in a midwestern state and found that African American males were more likely to be diagnosed with psychotic disorders, antisocial personality disorder, and substance abuse and more likely to commit a felony. African American females were more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder and twice as likely to commit murder. Multiple stigma points are discussed, as are implications for future practice and research.

KEYTERMS:

• NGRI acquittees
• stigma
• mental health
• race
• intersection of criminal justice and mental health