“We Now Have a Patient and Not a Criminal”: An Exploratory Study of Judges and Lawyers’ Views on Suicide Attempters and the Law in Ghana

Joseph Osafo; Charity S. Akotia; Johnny Andoh-Arthur; Kofi E. Boakye; Emmanuel N-B Quarshie

doi:10.1177/0306624X17692059

“We Now Have a Patient and Not a Criminal”: An Exploratory Study of Judges and Lawyers’ Views on Suicide Attempters and the Law in Ghana

Joseph Osafo
, Charity S. Akotia
, Johnny Andoh-Arthur
, Kofi E. Boakye
, Emmanuel N-B Quarshie

Department of Psychology

University of Ghana
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Anglia Ruskin University
University of Leeds

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study explored the views of judges and lawyers of the superior courts of Ghana on the law criminalizing attempted suicide. Qualitative data were collected from 12 experienced legal practitioners of the superior courts (five judges and seven lawyers) using a semi-structured interview schedule. Thematic analysis of the data yielded three main perspectives: In defence of the Law, Advocating a Repeal, and Pro-Health Orientation. Although exploratory, the findings of this study offer cues for stepping up suicide literacy and advocacy programmes toward either a repeal of the law or a reform.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1488-1508
Number of pages	21
Journal	International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
Volume	62
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X17692059
Publication status	Published - 1 May 2018

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

Ghana
attempted suicide
criminalization
judges
lawyers

Access to Document

10.1177/0306624X17692059

Cite this

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title = "“We Now Have a Patient and Not a Criminal”: An Exploratory Study of Judges and Lawyers{\textquoteright} Views on Suicide Attempters and the Law in Ghana",

abstract = "This study explored the views of judges and lawyers of the superior courts of Ghana on the law criminalizing attempted suicide. Qualitative data were collected from 12 experienced legal practitioners of the superior courts (five judges and seven lawyers) using a semi-structured interview schedule. Thematic analysis of the data yielded three main perspectives: In defence of the Law, Advocating a Repeal, and Pro-Health Orientation. Although exploratory, the findings of this study offer cues for stepping up suicide literacy and advocacy programmes toward either a repeal of the law or a reform.",

keywords = "Ghana, attempted suicide, criminalization, judges, lawyers",

author = "Joseph Osafo and Akotia, \{Charity S.\} and Johnny Andoh-Arthur and Boakye, \{Kofi E.\} and \{N-B Quarshie\}, Emmanuel",

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“We Now Have a Patient and Not a Criminal”: An Exploratory Study of Judges and Lawyers’ Views on Suicide Attempters and the Law in Ghana. / Osafo, Joseph; Akotia, Charity S.; Andoh-Arthur, Johnny et al.
In: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Vol. 62, No. 6, 01.05.2018, p. 1488-1508.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

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AU - Osafo, Joseph

AU - Akotia, Charity S.

AU - Andoh-Arthur, Johnny

AU - Boakye, Kofi E.

AU - N-B Quarshie, Emmanuel

PY - 2018/5/1

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KW - attempted suicide

KW - criminalization

KW - judges

KW - lawyers

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JO - International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

JF - International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

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ER -

“We Now Have a Patient and Not a Criminal”: An Exploratory Study of Judges and Lawyers’ Views on Suicide Attempters and the Law in Ghana

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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