International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology -

This study analyzes how probation officers’ perceptions of mental illness affect how they evaluate risk assessments for offenders. 89 probation officers were given a vignette-based design where they were given two separate hypothetical offenders who were of the same risk classification, except one had a mental illness. The study provides that stigma towards mental illness had little effect on risk assessment decisions. However, the offender with a mental illness received more punitive measures compared to their counterpart.

Jennifer Eno Louden is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of El Paso, Texas. Sarah M. Manchek is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. Elijah P. Ricks is a Professor of Forensic Psychology at Roosevelt University. Patrick J. Kennealy researches criminal justice at the Travis County Community Justice Services.

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^{Keywords: Mental illness, risk assessment, vignette, probation, probation officer, stigma, mental illness stigma}