The prisoners we meet in Wounded Wounders are wounders, who have themselves been wounded. They entrust their stories—told in their own words—to a companion, an incarcerated former Roman Catholic priest. They have never shared their stories before; there has never been anyone to listen or to care. What is revealed behind the tough, tattooed exteriors is a common humanity, and the unquenchable Divine Spark that refuses to be quenched.

Prisons are warehouses of human potential, graveyards of the human spirit. Whatever is good, hopeful and humane is gradually displaced within the inmates committed to them. In this brutal, surreal world of fear and degradation, kindness is perceived as weakness, and to be weak is to become vulnerable. Trust and intimacy are virtually non-existent.

Most prisoners enter the criminal justice system as juveniles. Over 60% are illiterate, 80% have drug-related issues, minorities are a disproportionate percent of the population. Out of these realities, these stories come.

Listening to these men, stereotypes fade into the realization that they are more than their crimes. When touched by the love of God and authentic human caring, they reach for their dreams and what is good begins to blossom. They hope, hurt and seek redemption no less than the rest of us.

In his own words, author Erik Rasmussen details how he was wrongly convicted of his wife's murder and how police and prosecutors overlook, hide and fabricate evidence to obtain a conviction regardless of guilt or innocence. It's bound to change the way you look at our justice and law enforcement systems.

This volume provides a clear and compelling introduction to one of the most important topics in the relation between psychology and law. Compiled by members of a Harvard seminar, it directs attention to the issues most often raised by the general public and by students of social science and criminal justice.

The frequently asked questions about the insanity defense address:

• its history and psychological aspects;
  
• the effects of different standards for determining insanity;
  
• the arguments for its retention, abolition, and revision;
  
• media and other responses to it;
  
• controversies around pre- and post-conviction commitment; and
  
• the roles of psychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers.

The case examples illustrate a variety of outcomes and include individuals who were:

• found not guilty by reason of insanity;
  
• found guilty even though mentally ill; and
  
• not charged because of mental illness.

The extensive bibliography directs students and citizens interested in psychology, law, and criminal justice to further cases and analyses. The insanity defense is one of the most significant topics in psychoforensics. This brief and readable book is the first place to look for what most people want to know about the insanity defense.

This volume provides a clear and compelling introduction to one of the most important topics in the relation between psychology and law. Compiled by members of a Harvard seminar, it directs attention to the issues most often raised by the general public and by students of social science and criminal justice.

The frequently asked questions about the insanity defense address:

• its history and psychological aspects;
  
• the effects of different standards for determining insanity;
  
• the arguments for its retention, abolition, and revision;
  
• media and other responses to it;
  
• controversies around pre- and post-conviction commitment; and
  
• the roles of psychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers.

The case examples illustrate a variety of outcomes and include individuals who were:

• found not guilty by reason of insanity;
  
• found guilty even though mentally ill; and
  
• not charged because of mental illness.

The extensive bibliography directs students and citizens interested in psychology, law, and criminal justice to further cases and analyses. The insanity defense is one of the most significant topics in psychoforensics. This brief and readable book is the first place to look for what most people want to know about the insanity defense.

It is safe to say that the true role of the police, and indeed the criminal justice system over all, is largely misunderstood by the public and very likely by the people who make up its ranks. It is the purpose of this book to define this role by asking the question: WHY? Why do we have a police force and a criminal justice system in American and what are the true sociological ends being served by them; or better still, to what ends are they being asked to serve. We may discover that what the police are expected to accomplish is more important for society than their actual performance.

Have you wondered about the following?

• What are legal and illegal searches and seizures?

This book covers the definitions of several crimes, reasons criminals commit certain crimes, and countless other important issues involving law enforcement. The authors hope these guidelines could perhaps save a human life or at least help one avoid bad and unfair police officers. Readers will discover practical comments about how to possibly avoid rogue police officers, the definition of a rogue cop, tips on certain signs of bad cops, and the reporting of such law enforcers to the proper authorities.

Review commentaries by a former law enforcement officer and explanations examined by a licensed professional counselor and educator.

Have you wondered about the following?

• What are legal and illegal searches and seizures?

This book covers the definitions of several crimes, reasons criminals commit certain crimes, and countless other important issues involving law enforcement. The authors hope these guidelines could perhaps save a human life or at least help one avoid bad and unfair police officers. Readers will discover practical comments about how to possibly avoid rogue police officers, the definition of a rogue cop, tips on certain signs of bad cops, and the reporting of such law enforcers to the proper authorities.

Review commentaries by a former law enforcement officer and explanations examined by a licensed professional counselor and educator.

In his own words, author Erik Rasmussen details how he was wrongly convicted of his wife's murder and how police and prosecutors overlook, hide and fabricate evidence to obtain a conviction regardless of guilt or innocence. It's bound to change the way you look at our justice and law enforcement systems.

The prisoners we meet in Wounded Wounders are wounders, who have themselves been wounded. They entrust their stories—told in their own words—to a companion, an incarcerated former Roman Catholic priest. They have never shared their stories before; there has never been anyone to listen or to care. What is revealed behind the tough, tattooed exteriors is a common humanity, and the unquenchable Divine Spark that refuses to be quenched.

Prisons are warehouses of human potential, graveyards of the human spirit. Whatever is good, hopeful and humane is gradually displaced within the inmates committed to them. In this brutal, surreal world of fear and degradation, kindness is perceived as weakness, and to be weak is to become vulnerable. Trust and intimacy are virtually non-existent.

Most prisoners enter the criminal justice system as juveniles. Over 60% are illiterate, 80% have drug-related issues, minorities are a disproportionate percent of the population. Out of these realities, these stories come.

Listening to these men, stereotypes fade into the realization that they are more than their crimes. When touched by the love of God and authentic human caring, they reach for their dreams and what is good begins to blossom. They hope, hurt and seek redemption no less than the rest of us.