Abstract

BARRIOS FLORES, Luis Fernando. Psychiatric internment for criminal reasons in Spain: measure enforcement or implementation in the prison environment. Rev. Crim. [online]. 2015, vol.57, n.1, pp.45-60. ISSN 1794-3108.

The unimputability or semi-unimputability of a patient with a psychic disorder having committed a criminal offense has been assumed by must nations for a long time, although the judicial responses in the face of such kind of conducts differ in a very significant way. The objective here is to analyze the enforcement of security measures involving deprivation of liberty (internment/detention) in Spain for unimputable individuals, i.e. not subject to criminal liability because of their psychic disorder and for those with some sudden mental illness subsequent to the sentence. The method followed here has consisted of studying the legislation or rules applicable to any such measures and their, with particular reference to the implementation of certain treatment programs. The results obtained highlight the existence of an acceptable normative framework including a good number of alternative measures to detention, as well as the success of the "salidas terapéuticas" (therapeutical leaves of absence or releases from the detention premises). It has been concluded that: a) the legal framework is the appropriate, although it calls for reforms within the judicial control sphere; b) the continuation of the patients' leaves of absence program is commendable and plausible, and c) it is necessary to reinforce post-rehabilitation mechanisms and resources.

Keywords : Unimputability; mental disorder; mental illness; penitentiary establishments; psychiatric-criminal security measures involving internment.

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