Abstract
<p>This paper, which is divided into five parts, has been prompted by the continuing interest in the complex and emotive topic of psychopathic disorder1 and the possibility of a government Bill aimed at revising the current mental health legislation being introduced in 2003. The unclear nature of the condition and the controversies surrounding it are well encapsulated in the two quotations that head this paper. One or two other literary allusions will also be called in aid later.</p>
Highlights
Some twenty-five years ago I made the following observations in a paper that appeared in the Prison Service Journal.[2]
This paper, which is divided into five parts, has been prompted by the continuing interest in the complex and emotive topic of psychopathic disorder[1] and the possibility of a government Bill aimed at revising the current mental health legislation being introduced in 2003
Some might well accept the definition in the Mental Health Act, 1959 ... [as it was] ... which describes psychopathy as a ‘persistent disorder or disability of mind which results in abnormally aggressive behaviour or seriously irresponsible conduct on the part of the patient and requires or is susceptible to medical treatment ...’
Summary
‘A devil, a born devil, on whose nature Nurture can never stick; on whom my pains Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost.’. Seem a saint when most I play the devil.’. This paper, which is divided into five parts, has been prompted by the continuing interest in the complex and emotive topic of psychopathic disorder[1] and the possibility of a government Bill aimed at revising the current mental health legislation being introduced in 2003. The unclear nature of the condition and the controversies surrounding it are well encapsulated in the two quotations that head this paper. One or two other literary allusions will be called in aid later
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Mental Health and Capacity Law
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
