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Peer Review

Mental Disorders and the Criminal Justice System

Reviewed:

Aug 14, 2026 by Health Sciences
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 5.0 stars
Content Quality: 5.0 stars
Effectiveness: 5.0 stars
Ease of Use: 4.8 stars
Overview:

This is an introductory textbook exploring the management and treatment of people with mental disorders throughout the criminal justice system.

Type of Material:

  • Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:

  • Homework: individual, team, self-paced
  • In-class discussions
Technical Requirements:

  • Internet Access
  • Web Browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:

  • After reading this OER textbook, users will
    • Describe the legal and social implications, legal mechanisms to protect people, and rights of people who have mental disorders.
    • Recommend approaches and interventions that improve outcomes for people with mental disorders in the criminal justice system.
    • Demonstrate increased awareness of careers in criminal justice and behavioral health, including the rewards and challenges inherent in these professional roles.
  • Each chapter includes learning objectives at the start.
Target Student Population:

  • College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

  • Some knowledge of psychology and mental health, as well as legal perspectives, is helpful.
  • Knowledge of using a computer or device to navigate an OER textbook.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The content is current and includes historical perspectives. 
  • The content includes scholarly citations with references at the end of each chapter.
  • The information is complete and supported by research.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The OER book is available to read online, for download, and may be printed.
  • The book has an easy-to-use format. 
  • Chapters include objectives and key terms, images, videos, discussion questions, and interactive knowledge checks to support a variety of learning preferences.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The OER book's start includes instructions for navigating the source.
  • Most links are in SmartLink or ordinary text format.
  • Videos include closed captioning.
  • Images include alt text.
  • Links in working order.
Concerns:

  • All headings are level 1. Consider using sequential heading levels.
  • A link was in https format, specifically the video about the Oregon experience in Chapter 1. Consider using SmartLinks, like most weblinks are set up in the textbook. Most videos are embedded in the software, which makes them easy to use, but perhaps this one link was troublesome.
Other Issues and Comments:

  • Overall, the OER textbook is an excellent source! It includes multimodal learning to reach a wide range of learning preferences.
  • The knowledge checks are wonderful for learners to check their understanding.
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