Schizophrenic prisoners.

THIS refers to the news report 'SC debates fate of prisoners suffering from mental disorders' (Dec 16).

The debate is on the question as to where to lodge a condemned prisoner on a death row if he/she is mentally ill and suffering from schizophrenia but has not served out his/her sentence.

Another question is: what will happen if the apex court declares that the victim cannot be executed?

First, the basic issue needs to be understood, and only then we can decide should such prisoners be executed, given life sentence or treated.

There is no need to explain the seriousness of schizophrenia further as it is a lifetime disorder where we use 'remission' rather than cure.

This psychotic disorder's main issue is complete dissociation from reality.

A person suffering from this disorder lives in his/her own world where delusion is a false belief held firmly which cannot be changed by logic.

Therefore, any illegal act committed in this case is due to illness rather than intent or logic.

The poor patient is not at all responsible for the crime he/she has committed under any circumstances.

This is also to emphasise that if such prisoners are not hanged due to illness, the life sentence should also be shelved in favour of care and treatment at a forensic...

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