NCJ Number
50373
Journal
Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (1977) Pages: SYMPOSIUM ISSUE,P 256-267
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
LEGISLATION MODIFYING THE ROLE AND OPERATIONS OF THE PATUXENT INSTITUTION, A MARYLAND FACILITY FOR DANGEROUS OFFENDERS, IS REVIEWED.
Abstract
THE LEGISLATION WAS PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN APRIL 1977 AND WAS SIGNED INTO LAW ON MAY 26, 1977. PREVIOUSLY, PATUXENT PROVIDED PSYCHIATRIC AND OTHER SERVICES TO INMATES WHO, HAVING BEEN DESIGNATED DEFECTIVE DELINQUENTS, WERE COMMITTED INVOLUNTARILY TO THE INSTITUTION TO SERVE INDETERMINATE SENTENCES. IN GENERAL, THE 1977 LEGISLATION ELIMINATED THE INDETERMINATE SENTENCE AND MADE PATUXENT A TREATMENT CENTER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR INMATES WHO WISHED TO VOLUNTEER FOR TREATMENT. ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CHANGE WAS THE CREATION OF A MANDATORY 25-YEAR NONPAROLABLE (EXCEPT BY PATUXENT) SENTENCE FOR THIRD-TIME VIOLENT OFFENDERS. THE LEGISLATION ALSO ELIMINATED THE 'DEFECTIVE DELINQUENT' DESIGNATION FOR PATUXENT INMATES. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LEGISLATIVE REVISIONS ARE CITED, AND A COPY OF THE FULLY REVISED STATE LAW GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF THE PATUXENT INSTITUTION IS PROVIDED. (LKM)