Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143:838-845
Copyright © 1986 by American Psychiatric Association
Psychiatric, neurological, and psychoeducational characteristics of 15 death row inmates in the United States
DO Lewis, JH Pincus, M Feldman, L Jackson and B Bard
The authors present the results of clinical evaluations of 15 death row
inmates, chosen for examination because of the imminence of their
executions and not for evidence of neuropsychopathology. All had histories
of severe head injury, five had major neurological impairment, and seven
others had other, less serious neurological problems (e.g., blackouts, soft
signs). Psychoeducational testing provided further evidence of CNS
dysfunction. Six subjects had schizophreniform psychoses antedating
incarceration and two others were manic-depressive. The authors conclude
that many condemned individuals probably suffer unrecognized severe
psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive disorders relevant to
considerations of mitigation.
