Three major aspects of mental retardation and criminal justice are examined: myths frequently associated with the relationship of mental retardation and criminality; mistreatment of the mentally retarded offender in the criminal justice system; and the perils of reform in the field of mental retardation and criminal justice. (Author)

A survey of 49 states' services for mentlly retarded offenders indicated that 922 residential beds exist for this population with 150 more expected by the end of 1983. It is concluded that only 5 percent of those needing special services will. (Author/CL)

Over a 5-year period, of 461 Connecticut cases of sexual abuse of adults with mental retardation, 37% were confirmed. Most of the victims (72%) were women, and most of the perpetrators (88%) were men who included other adults with mental retardation, paid staff, family members, and others. In 92% of cases, the victim knew the abuser. (Author/DB)

Youthful prison inmates (N=170) with mental retardation were studied to evaluate adjustment to incarceration, based on the frequency of five disciplinary infractions: hygiene violations, noncompliance with authority, assault on an inmate, assault on a correctional officer, and attempted escape. Results showed that subjects demonstrated poor…

Public attitudes toward people labeled mentally ill (MI), mentally retarded (MR), and criminals (C) were assessed by a community absorption questionnaire completed by 200 randomly selected persons from a stratified representative sample of a major metropolitan area. Results indicated a high degree of similarity in attitudes toward MI and MR, while…

It is maintained that since H. Goddard's investigations in 1914, over 450 separate studies on intellectual dimensions of the juvenile and adult retarded offender have been published, yet the investigations have not provided conclusive evidence that intelligence level plays a role in deliquent and/or criminal behavior. (Author/MC)

Criticizes the institution of the death penalty for convicted criminals with mental retardation. Examples are given of cases in which juries were not told of the defendant's mental retardation before sentencing, and a list of defendants with mental retardation that have been executed since 1976 is provided. (CR)

This paper reviews the efficacy, cautions, side effects, and modes of action of two antiandrogens (medroxyprogesterone acetate and cyproterone acetate) in treating individuals with mental retardation who have engaged in offensive sexual behavior. Ethical and medico-legal issues are also discussed. (Author/JDD)

This article presents 20 reasons why it is usually easy for police to get confessions from individuals with mental retardation. It urges that police training be seen as everyone's responsibility and that individuals with mental retardation be prepared for possible police interrogation. (DB)

A man with mental retardation, in detention for five years because of sex offenses with preadolescent boys, was not only diagnosed as having Klinefelter syndrome when a social worker read suspected the possibility and arranged for a chromosome test. The importance of a complete medical work-up is emphasized in such cases. (JDD)

A relatively nonintrusive, group-based therapy system, involving coordination of multiple service agencies, was developed for sex offenders with intelligence quotients from 55 to 85. Fifteen adult males who underwent this treatment barely attained objectives on Goal Attainment Scaling, 6 recidified, and 2 were rearrested. (JDD)

This article presents four case studies of male adolescent sex offenders with intellectual disabilities. All were successfully treated in a group program that focused on specific techniques for cognitive change for thinking errors related to sex offending, problem-solving in offending situations, and analysis of behavior and routines consistent…

This article reports results of a peer jury system to deal with inappropriate behaviors among residents of a community-based residential treatment program for offenders with mental retardation. Comparison before and after program implementation indicated statistically significant improvement in 7 of the 8 behavior areas and for 11 of the 12 adult…

This paper discusses psychological test obstacles to gaining the acceptance of a diagnosis of mental retardation in criminal defendants, use of the Revised Beta intelligence test with defendants who may be retarded, possible modification of the adaptive behavior criterion for criminal defendants, and appropriateness of the death penalty for…

This article describes Options for Justice, an agency that provides education and training to professionals and direct services to offenders with developmental disabilities. Recommendations for developing and implementing similar programs are offered. Areas addressed include assessing need, funding, selection of program services, staffing, the…