Paper explaining the changes introduced by the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, taking a critical look at its provisions, the circumstances behind its introduction and the present and future implications of the orders for the development of policy towards mentally disordered offenders. Article by Estella Baker (Faculty of Law, University of Leicester) published in Amicus Curiae - Journal of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and its Society for Advanced Legal Studies. The Journal is produced by the Society for Advanced Legal Studies at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London.