Donahue (March 27, 1992) - Options for mentally ill criminals

Phil Donahue provides a forum for a discussion on the healthcare options available to mentally ill individuals who pose a threat to themselves and/or others.
Joseph "Jay" Centifanti appears on the show to share his backstory and complain that he isn't allowed to practice law even after serving roughly 2 1/2 years in a mental hospital for the attempted murder of his wife Bronwen back in 1975.
Jay's daughter 18-year-old Dana Centifanti is there for moral support and to express her concerns about her own mental health.
Dr. Timothy Michaels, M.D., a forensic psychiatrist, weighs in on Jay's predicament.
"Ed" and "Betty" (not their real names) are on the show to express the frustration stemming from the reality that their paranoid schizophrenic son wasn't being able to get the help he sought and needed until after he killed two people.
David Michael O'Brien, a patient at the Buffalo (NY) Psychiatric Center, complains about his own scheduled for release from the institute.
Dr. Jeffery Grace, M.D., Clinical Director of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, explains to David, Phil and the audience that the ultimate goal is to restore mentally ill individuals to some level of normalcy and reintegrate them into society.
As I rewatched this episode, during the editing process, I thought Jay's harsh words about his ex-wife's 2nd husband were just born out of bitterness but perhaps he was on to something.
If you're interested in a much more extensive examination of Mr. Centifanti's crime and events after 1992, you can read about it on my crime blog - asclosetocrime...

[@midnightrun2764]

Wow! Revisiting Phil here on You Tube, reminds me how back in the day, we used to wish he had more than his hour!…✌🏼🇨🇦

[@MsNooneinparticular]

Bipolar disorder does not cause or justify stalking, shooting or other complex premeditated plots like this. As someone with multiple mental illnesses, I have all the sympathy in the world for people who suffer from these conditions & do everything in their power to treat them. (I've tried 26 psych meds in my life so far). But the ugly truth is that a majority of bipolar, schizophrenic & other severely mentally ill criminals who end up in situations like this do NOT take their meds reliably & choose the manic highs/hallucinations & other symptoms that feel more exciting to them than the relative dullness of the stability caused by meds. And there are side effects, but when the other alternative is THIS, they should be legally mandated to take them or be institutionalized. I'm talking about the severely mentally ill, by the way. Not those with situational anxiety, depression or other things. This guy shows no real remorse or accountability which is a bad sign.

[@TJ-kk5zf]

wow, you know everything about a man in 40 edited min. you must be God

[@jomama5186]

I'm glad Donahue did shows like this and was proactive towards the issues and briga the worlds focus. It's a shame so little bas changed in this and many systems.

[@sexyskittles6822]

How nobody EVER "remembers" the shooting? Seriously every damn person was in a "fog"and dosen't remember the terrible thing they did. It's just so convenient for them.

[@stefanhoimes]

While there's no justification for violence... I black out for a few days during manic episodes and rely on friends and technology to keep me safe (even the psych hospital if necessary)Would never commit any violence like nearly all people with bipolar, but it's not impossible.

[@SounderMom31]

The sad thing is, nothing much has changed in regard to dealing with mental health in the US. Especially when it comes to the criminal justice system.

[@SHARON.I]

Thank for this Donahue show!

[@asclosetocrime]

You're welcome. Thanks for commenting.

[@aysinalper]

He has no remorse ..tells his crime story like a fun memory, even making jokes about his crime...He is using his illness as an excuse ; not taking any responsibility of his crime

[@elgeneralxx]

He's a butthole

[@mizzjacksonxoxo]

Dark comedy...😕😕

[@AK84-24]

Thank You for posting this video & the informative blog post.

[@asclosetocrime]

You're welcome. Thanks very much for taking the rime to read the blog.

[@jomama5186]

Still, the mental health feild is stagnated and antiquated, like many of our systems, judicial, political, correctional environmental, etc. We still have no answers or protocols for the mentally ill. It is such a shame.

[@BearbearbearbearbearbearRarrrr]

It’s a perk on the insurance plans for lawyers doctors judges etc. lawpro.

[@stefanhoimes]

Not much has changed in Philly when it comes to those of us living with bipolar. But the disorder doesn't inherently cause violence.

[@verityowens9638]

Give him back his licence .

[@nicolemclaughlin5980]

I miss watching Donahue, Geraldo, Sally Jesse and Oprah!!

[@chancest.thomas5160]

3 Minutes in...Bizarre & Tragic

[@babyjesus2025]

Boy said he's not trying to get out, he's chilling like a villain on Ritalin in that nut house. Lol

[@boredweegie553]

im glsd times have changed because thete ste many different mental illnesses then rhete ate neurological disorders.. very different..

[@sexyskittles6822]

Why is his daughter there? Inappropriate

[@DMG118]

Because she's attractive

[@wettaloca2923]

​@@DMG118 Um wait... WHAT???

[@boredweegie553]

why not? she's an adult and she's clearly there as part of the episode..duh! why not? and her being there is certainly not inappropriate

[@jessyleppert2]

15:47 the intro when Phil dealt with serious issues

[@boredweegie553]

id have sued the hospital ... second story

[@boredweegie553]

nobody get screened in that country? background checks to see if they're ok to be owning a gun?? if he was diagnosed and not taking meds then id say he is responsible

[@stefanhoimes]

America is sadly practically a free-for-all when it comes to guns.

[@BearbearbearbearbearbearRarrrr]

Those meds are sometimes what push people over. Robert Whittaker and Anne Harrington speak and write well about these issues.

[@elgeneralxx]

15:48 serious issues Donahue theme

[@elgeneralxx]

I laughed when he read 1-800 NAMI

[@elgeneralxx]

Pooped pants

[@sexyskittles6822]

Change them immediately