The Legislative Yuan on Thursday passed an amendment that would make it possible for criminal offenders with mental issues to be kept in psychiatric detention beyond the existing five-year limit, placing no cap on how long they can be held. Article 87 of the Criminal Code stipulates that criminal offenders who are not convicted or whose sentences are reduced because of diminished responsibility can be held in “custodial protection” for up to five years. Thursday’s amendment allows the period of custodial protection to be extended once for three years or less, followed by extensions of up to one year each, without placing