BACKGROUND: Treatment within medium secure forensic psychiatry services is expected to reduce risk to the public. AIMS: To measure the period prevalence and incidence of offending following discharge and identify associated risk factors. METHOD: Follow-up of patients from 7 of 14 regional services in England and Wales who spent time at risk (n=1344) for a mean of 6.2 years. Outcome was obtained from offenders index, hospital case-files and the central register of deaths. RESULTS: One in 8 men and 1 in 16 women were convicted of grave offences. Incidence rates indicated low density and most patients were not subsequently convicted. Offence predictors included gender, younger age, early-onset offending, previous convictions and a comorbid or primary diagnosis of personality disorder. Longer in-patient stay and restriction on discharge were protective. CONCLUSIONS: Risks of reoffending remain for a subgroup of discharged patients. Future research should aim to improve their identification and risk management following discharge.
BACKGROUND: Treatment within medium secure forensic psychiatry services is expected to reduce risk to the public. AIMS: To measure the period prevalence and incidence of offending following discharge and identify associated risk factors. METHOD: Follow-up of patients from 7 of 14 regional services in England and Wales who spent time at risk (n=1344) for a mean of 6.2 years. Outcome was obtained from offenders index, hospital case-files and the central register of deaths. RESULTS: One in 8 men and 1 in 16 women were convicted of grave offences. Incidence rates indicated low density and most patients were not subsequently convicted. Offence predictors included gender, younger age, early-onset offending, previous convictions and a comorbid or primary diagnosis of personality disorder. Longer in-patient stay and restriction on discharge were protective. CONCLUSIONS: Risks of reoffending remain for a subgroup of discharged patients. Future research should aim to improve their identification and risk management following discharge.
Authors: Yanick Charette; Anne G Crocker; Michael C Seto; Leila Salem; Tonia L Nicholls; Malijai Caulet Journal: Can J Psychiatry Date: 2015-03 Impact factor: 4.356
Authors: Mary Davoren; Zareena Abidin; Leena Naughton; Olivia Gibbons; Andrea Nulty; Brenda Wright; Harry G Kennedy Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2013-07-09 Impact factor: 3.630