Further to our recent campaigning, we were saddened though not surprised to hear that Lisa Montgomery was executed this morning after her last-minute stay of execution was overturned by the United States of America’s Supreme Court. Our thoughts and prayers are with her victim’s family, with Lisa’s own family, and with all those who have been involved professionally in her case.
Whether or not you agree with the death penalty, Lisa’s execution is a sobering, sentinel moment. It will be remembered for arguments hinged around the fate of those who commit a serious crime whilst severely mentally unwell. Could better social services & healthcare during her formative years have prevented her crime? And could more or better forensic psychiatric assessment whilst on remand have prevented her being given a capital sentence?
Those who commit heinous crimes are often themselves victims of horrendous abuse and substandard care. It is for this reason that a gold standard forensic psychiatry system needs to exist alongside an effective criminal justice system. And so we must continue to advocate for certain detainees within the criminal justice system who, because of mental illness, are especially vulnerable.
This case has been highly emotive. Therefore we will be pausing to reflect before releasing further commentary in due course.
For media enquiries, please phone our Medical Director or email our European office.