Dr . Joshua Buckholtz , an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard University and director of its Systems Neuroscience of Psychopathology laboratory , says that science can educate the law but not write it .
“ As scientists , we can describe the neurocircuitry , we can understand the genetic underpinnings , but the relevance of that information to the law is decided by the law ,” he says . “ We have to proceed carefully . The law might integrate scientific information based on results that may later be shown to be wrong . Science is perpetually self-correcting . Changes to the legal canon are less amenable to that process .”
H . Reed Cosper , the former state mental health advocate , believes that current mental health law is already adequate . It allows a relative or the state to confine to a psychiatric facility an individual who is likely to commit “ serious harm by reason of mental disability .” Each week , he says , the law is used to treat people , usually for short-term stays to stabilize their conditions .
“ In my opinion , I have never seen the government fail to use the law when necessary , and I continue to believe that the government will use it wisely ,” he says . “ Only a very tiny population merits preventative detention .”
Not everyone was happy with Woodmansee ’ s voluntary surrender . Then- Attorney General Kilmartin vowed to pursue involuntary commitment , to give the state control over his release . The Foreman family said they intended to fight for stricter good time laws .
But Dale Sherman says he is satisfied . “ He should have never gotten out of jail , but that ’ s not the fault of the people running things today .”
It wasn ’ t a perfect solution , but it was better than the alternative .
“ He has no family ,” says Sherman . “ He ’ s certainly not wanted in this community . All of the other states called Rhode Island and told them , ‘ He ’ s your problem .’ Where else is he going to go ? You can ’ t have him living under a bridge .” �
Ellen Liberman is an award-winning journalist who has commented on politics and reported on government affairs for more than two decades .
RITA AND KEVIN BECK , OWNERS
Cumberland
KITCHEN
& DesignCenter
TRANSFORMING A HOUSE INTO A HOME ...
YOUR HOME !
1764 MENDON ROAD ,
CUMBERLAND , RI
INFO @ CUMBERLANDKITCHEN . COM 401.334.7317 CUMBERLANDKITCHEN . COM
MON . & FRI . 8:30AM - 5PM , TUES . WED . & THURS . 8:30AM - 7PM , SAT . 9AM - 4:30PM
Antiques ~ art ~ furniture ~ lamps ~ pottery ~ jewelry vintage clothing ~ collectibles ~ housewares and more ...
BATH
Mike ' s Estate Services
One of New England ’ s largest consignment shops
Wednesday , Thursday , Friday 10-5 | Saturday 10 to 4 Sunday 11-4 | Closed Monday and Tuesday
65 Manchester Street | West Warwick , R . I . 02893 401-825-7670 | mikesestateservices . com
Two Floors ~ 28,000 Square Feet Buy Here ~ Sell Here
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l FEBRUARY 2021 31