The new French legislation about placement and treatment of mentally ill offenders
Since February 25th 2008, the French parliament has adopted a new law that changes the way mentally ill offenders can be treated. Through this law, some offenders can be placed in specific centers for unlimited time. The application of this safety measure could be suspended only if it is to expected that the person will not commit more illegal acts if released. In these centers called “centres medico socio judiciaires”, there will be psychiatrists who will have to treat offenders in order to reduce their dangerousness. This law also changes the way that criminal irresponsibility is pronounced. Even if mentally ill offenders are found to be not responsible for their acts, they will appear at the hearing of the court. This juridiction will be able to pronounce the placement in a psychiatric hospital, whereas until now, it was only an administrative decision taken by the prefect. This law also compels psychiatrists to warn prison services when they consider that an offender is particularly dangerous. This law changes the way mentally ill offenders can be treated. Nursing staff has to be aware of this modifications.