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Book Review: Nothing is my Number

Book Review: Nothing is my Number AUST.N.ZJ.C. (1974)7 BOOK REVIEWS This is an area of very great interest and of such a prisoner. The present scene is worthy of much more intensive investi­ set by a sex offender aged 31 who has gation. It is therefore worth noting a been imprisoned "indefinitely". He writes: quite recent piece of research relating "What really makes things tick here is to this matter: a research report entitled hate. The inmates hate the guards, the ccApparently Suffering from Mental Dis­ guards hate the inmates, and together order; An Examination of the Exercise of they hate the sex offender" and "I'll tell Police Power under s.10 of the Mental you how I feel - I hate, and because I Health Act of Ontario" by Fox and Erick­ can't usually identify the author of my son(4). Section 10 permits a police officer misery I tend to take that hatred out on, to take a person apparently suffering anyone I don't know to be definitely my; from a mental disorder and who is acting friend." This" written in Canada, has in a disorderly manner to "an appropriate applicability to the contemporary Austra­ place where he may be detained for lian scene. medical examination". The methodology It is stated that: "At present 23 of of this piece of Canadian research is more Canada's 73 dangerous sexual offenders than usually thorough and the findings are held in the British Columbia Peni­ are likely to be as meaningful to Toronto tentiary"; the designation "dangerous" as to London, Sydney or Melbourne so coming from 8.659 (b) of the Criminal that they may be seen as extending the Code of Canada. The author set up a findings and arguments advanced by Dr, group of these "dangerous sex offenders" Walker and Mrs. McCabe. in the British Columbia Penitentiary and One may, in conclusion, say again that in the book describes, briefly, the prob­ this is a book that is a pleasure to read, lems associated with the organisation of such a group, the problems of using a and a book which should be read Qy video-tape in the group, and he gives every psychiatrist whether or not purport­ samples of the conversation in the group. ing to be concerned with forensic matters. Indeed, both volumes should- be read, As a result of the research 14 features preferably possessed, by psychiatrists, were isolated which correlated with "dan­ gerousness" and this permitted the author lawyers and all those concerned with to attempt to "quantify" the likelihood of psycho-social administration and such a "dangerousness". The factors isolated are: term must be taken to include legislators. Brutality sustained in childhood; Bedwet­ A-part from the information contained be­ ting, firesetting and cruelty to animals; tween the covers and the easy style of the writing one must comment on the Assorted delinquent acts between the ages pleasure derived from the entertaining of 8 - 13 years; Escalation of sexual offences; Inter-related criminality with turn of phrase: sexual offences; Sustained excitement ". . . the activity which must take 4P prior to and at the time of the act; Lack most patient-hours in any type of men­ of concern for the victims; Bizarre fan­ tal hospital (apart from sleep) is tasies with minor offences; Explosive out­ occupational therapy, and that very bursts; Absence of psychosis; Absence of much the same could be said of prisons, alcohol consumption; High IQ; Lack of although the term used in their case human warmth or humanitarian depth; is 'work'." and Lack of social know-how. ALLEN A. BARTHOLOMEW, Melbourne The author recommends a special institution for such offenders and offers 4. Research Report. Apparently Suffering some draft model legislation. The book from Mental Disorder: An Examination of ends with four appendices offering various the Exercise of Police Power under s.lO of data regarding the subjects in tabular the Mental Health Act of Ontario. Fox, form and psychological reports. R.G. and Erickson, Patricia G. assisted by Salutin, Lome ,·M. .Centre of'Criminology, Whilst the reviewer finds some of the University of Toronto, '1972. book somewhat unsatisfactory, especially the attempt to quantify the factors, never­ theless it is an attempt by a professional Notbing is my Number Marcus, A.M. person ,who has been closely concerned General Publishing Co. Ltd. Toronto, 1971, with such men to put his thoughts and pp.119. 7736 1005 7 findings on paper. In this sense the book offers a useful starting point for debate THIS SMALL book, sub-titled "An Explor­ and it could most usefully serve in a atory Study with a Group of Dangerous tutorial or seminar setting. Sexual Offenders in Canada", is written by a forensic psychiatrist who demon­ ALLEN A. BARTHOLOMEW, strates a real clinical concern for the lot Melbourne http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology SAGE

Book Review: Nothing is my Number

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Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
Copyright © by SAGE Publications
ISSN
0004-8658
eISSN
1837-9273
DOI
10.1177/000486587400700211
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AUST.N.ZJ.C. (1974)7 BOOK REVIEWS This is an area of very great interest and of such a prisoner. The present scene is worthy of much more intensive investi­ set by a sex offender aged 31 who has gation. It is therefore worth noting a been imprisoned "indefinitely". He writes: quite recent piece of research relating "What really makes things tick here is to this matter: a research report entitled hate. The inmates hate the guards, the ccApparently Suffering from Mental Dis­ guards hate the inmates, and together order; An Examination of the Exercise of they hate the sex offender" and "I'll tell Police Power under s.10 of the Mental you how I feel - I hate, and because I Health Act of Ontario" by Fox and Erick­ can't usually identify the author of my son(4). Section 10 permits a police officer misery I tend to take that hatred out on, to take a person apparently suffering anyone I don't know to be definitely my; from a mental disorder and who is acting friend." This" written in Canada, has in a disorderly manner to "an appropriate applicability to the contemporary Austra­ place where he may be detained for lian scene. medical examination". The methodology It is stated that: "At present 23 of of this piece of Canadian research is more Canada's 73 dangerous sexual offenders than usually thorough and the findings are held in the British Columbia Peni­ are likely to be as meaningful to Toronto tentiary"; the designation "dangerous" as to London, Sydney or Melbourne so coming from 8.659 (b) of the Criminal that they may be seen as extending the Code of Canada. The author set up a findings and arguments advanced by Dr, group of these "dangerous sex offenders" Walker and Mrs. McCabe. in the British Columbia Penitentiary and One may, in conclusion, say again that in the book describes, briefly, the prob­ this is a book that is a pleasure to read, lems associated with the organisation of such a group, the problems of using a and a book which should be read Qy video-tape in the group, and he gives every psychiatrist whether or not purport­ samples of the conversation in the group. ing to be concerned with forensic matters. Indeed, both volumes should- be read, As a result of the research 14 features preferably possessed, by psychiatrists, were isolated which correlated with "dan­ gerousness" and this permitted the author lawyers and all those concerned with to attempt to "quantify" the likelihood of psycho-social administration and such a "dangerousness". The factors isolated are: term must be taken to include legislators. Brutality sustained in childhood; Bedwet­ A-part from the information contained be­ ting, firesetting and cruelty to animals; tween the covers and the easy style of the writing one must comment on the Assorted delinquent acts between the ages pleasure derived from the entertaining of 8 - 13 years; Escalation of sexual offences; Inter-related criminality with turn of phrase: sexual offences; Sustained excitement ". . . the activity which must take 4P prior to and at the time of the act; Lack most patient-hours in any type of men­ of concern for the victims; Bizarre fan­ tal hospital (apart from sleep) is tasies with minor offences; Explosive out­ occupational therapy, and that very bursts; Absence of psychosis; Absence of much the same could be said of prisons, alcohol consumption; High IQ; Lack of although the term used in their case human warmth or humanitarian depth; is 'work'." and Lack of social know-how. ALLEN A. BARTHOLOMEW, Melbourne The author recommends a special institution for such offenders and offers 4. Research Report. Apparently Suffering some draft model legislation. The book from Mental Disorder: An Examination of ends with four appendices offering various the Exercise of Police Power under s.lO of data regarding the subjects in tabular the Mental Health Act of Ontario. Fox, form and psychological reports. R.G. and Erickson, Patricia G. assisted by Salutin, Lome ,·M. .Centre of'Criminology, Whilst the reviewer finds some of the University of Toronto, '1972. book somewhat unsatisfactory, especially the attempt to quantify the factors, never­ theless it is an attempt by a professional Notbing is my Number Marcus, A.M. person ,who has been closely concerned General Publishing Co. Ltd. Toronto, 1971, with such men to put his thoughts and pp.119. 7736 1005 7 findings on paper. In this sense the book offers a useful starting point for debate THIS SMALL book, sub-titled "An Explor­ and it could most usefully serve in a atory Study with a Group of Dangerous tutorial or seminar setting. Sexual Offenders in Canada", is written by a forensic psychiatrist who demon­ ALLEN A. BARTHOLOMEW, strates a real clinical concern for the lot Melbourne

Journal

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology – SAGE

Published: Jun 1, 1974

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