Mental disability, violence, and future dangerousness : myths behind the presumption of guilt / John Weston Parry.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface -- Introduction -- Persons with mental disabilities and the American legal system : a history of discrimination, abuse and mistreatment -- Sanism and America's exaggerated fear of violence -- Sanist words and language in the american legal system : "dangerousness", "the right to treatment" and "civil" versus "criminal" -- Predictions of dangerousness in the courtroom : unreliable, inaccurate and misleading -- Accusations based on the unknowable : predictions of dangerousness in civil and criminal proceedings -- Dangerousness and the unconscionable failure to provide humane care and treatment to persons with mental disabilities -- An extremely suspect classification -- A new system of state and federal laws and public health approaches for persons with mental disabilities deemed to be dangerous : initial recommendations -- Bibliography.

Description based on print version record.

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2013. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.