Mentally Disordered Offenders

Mentally disordered offenders (MDO) is a term most applicable in a correctional setting, because it implies someone who has been convicted of a crime and has also been diagnosed as having a mental illness (i.e., insane). Some individuals diagnosed with a mental illness may commit a crime but are not legally considered incompetent or insane. It must be noted that legal standards of psychological impairment differ from psychiatric standards. MDOs are likely to be processed through the criminal justice system and, if appropriate, spend time incarcerated in prisons or jails. MDOs also include those who did not suffer from a mental illness when they committed their crime but later developed one during their incarceration.

MDOs receive mental health services during their incarceration when services are available, ...