Final answer:
The distinction is that offenders with certain mental illnesses may be found not criminally responsible if their mental state severely impairs their understanding of their actions, while those with antisocial personality disorder do not automatically have diminished criminal responsibility despite the disorder being a serious mental illness.The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distinction between offenders with antisocial personality disorder and offenders with mental illnesses that may render them not criminally responsible lies in the impact of the disorder on the individual's culpability and responsibility for their criminal actions. Antisocial personality disorder is indeed a mental illness characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others. However, it does not inherently mean that an individual is not criminally responsible for their actions.
On the other hand, certain mental illnesses can impair an individual's ability to understand the nature or wrongfulness of their actions, which can lead to a finding of not criminally responsible. The impairment caused by some mental illnesses can be so severe that it affects a person's ability to perform everyday tasks and quality of life significantly, potentially meeting the legal criteria for criminal non-responsibility.
Therefore, the correct answer is c) Offenders with mental illnesses are not responsible for their actions, while those with antisocial personality disorder are. Antisocial personality disorder, while a serious mental illness, does not generally exempt an individual from being held responsible for their criminal behavior, unlike some other mental illnesses where such criminal responsibility may be diminished or negated due to the mental condition.