Journal article
Marking the Progress of a "Maturing" Society: Madison v. Alabama and Competency for Execution Evaluations
Psychology, public policy, and law, v 26(2)
01 May 2020
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
In February 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) addressed whether dementia and/or dementia-related amnesia of the crime precluded a defendant from being executed (Madison v. Alabama, 2019). Consistent with their previous holdings in Ford v. Wainwright (1986) and Panetti v. Quarterman (2007), SCOTUS reaffirmed the prohibition on the execution of an individual who lacks a rational understanding of the crime he or she committed and their impending punishment. However, SCOTUS did not make a direct determination in Madison's case and instead remanded the case to lower courts to decide his fate. Two important rulings were proffered: (a) failing to remember the crime does not preclude an individual from execution, and (b) mental illnesses other than psychotic disorders may render an individual incompetent for execution. This article explores the confluence of factors underpinning Madison's case and the important consequences of these rulings for mental health professionals working with the growing aging prisoner population. More specifically, this article traces the evolution of the competency for execution (CFE) standard, explores dementia and associated effects within the context of the Madison ruling, and discusses Madison v. Alabama and its implications for CFE and forensic evaluators.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Marking the Progress of a "Maturing" Society: Madison v. Alabama and Competency for Execution Evaluations
- Creators
- Marissa Stanziani - University of AlabamaJennifer Cox - University of AlabamaElizabeth Bownes - University of AlabamaKeisha D. Carden - University of AlabamaDavid S. DeMatteo - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Psychology, public policy, and law, v 26(2)
- Publisher
- Amer Psychological Assoc
- Number of pages
- 9
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000529340000002
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85103517355
- Other Identifier
- 991019168035604721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Health Policy & Services
- Law
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary