how has the role of prison psychologist contributed in the criminal justice system?
Many forensic psychologists are in private practice and are hired by attorneys or by the court system to evaluate defendants and provide an expert opinion for clients. These opinions may explore, for example, whether a defendant has a mental disorder that prevents him or her from going on trial or what a defendant's mental state may have been at the time of an offense.In addition to private practice, forensic psychologists are employed in a variety of settings, including state forensic hospitals, court clinics, mental health centers, jails, prisons and juvenile treatment centers. At these sites, forensic psychologists conduct evaluations similar to those in a private forensic practice, but they also provide therapeutic services tailored to the legal proceeding, DeMatteo says. This could be, for example, helping treat a psychotic defendant who is not competent to stand trial with antipsychotic medications, and then providing "competence restoration," an educational program that teaches defendants how the criminal justice system works.
FACTS:
Why are forensic psychologists important?-( Forensic psychology plays an important role in determining why a person committed a crime, and whether or not they can be charged for it. ... This word is used to determine whether or not an individual was aware of his/her choices while committing a crime, or if the repercussions of his/her actions were unclear to them. )
What role does a forensic psychologist play in sentencing?- ( Forensic psychologists may be called on to provide sentencing recommendations, treatment recommendations, or any other information the judge requests, such as information regarding mitigating factors, assessment of future risk, and evaluation of witness credibility. )