A sentencing judge may not treat general deterrence as directed at deterring persons with mental illness from failing to take their medication; general deterrence must be directed at deterring criminal offending. However, non-compliance with a treatment regime is relevant to the assessment of risk to the community and the importance of community protection as a sentencing factor. Personal deterrence has little scope where there is no finding that the offender has the capacity, when compliant with medication, to appreciate the need for ongoing treatment.
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