 If someone was mentally ill then, he was sent to a psychiatric hospital and confined there until his dying day. If his mental health was uncertain but he was not constantly unwell, he and his kharakteristika [testimonial from employers, the Party and other Soviet institutions] were sent to a labour camp or to be shot. When allusions to socialist legality started to be made, it was decided to prosecute such people. Soon it became apparent that putting people who gave anti-Soviet speeches on trial only made matters worse for the regime. Such individuals were no longer tried in court. Instead they were given a psychiatric examination and declared insane.
