Citation

Cohen MI, Spodak MK, Silver SB, Williams K. Behav. Sci. Law 1988; 6(4): 515-530.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/bsl.2370060408

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This research developed a model for forensic release decisions that incorporated actuarial and psychiatric predictors. The model was based on research that compared 127 insanity acquittees in the State of Maryland with a matched control group of 127 convicted felons and a comparison group of 135 mentally disordered prison transfers. The three cohorts were followed for an average of 10 years after release from hospital or prison.

FINDINGS on two outcome indicators are reported in this article: rearrests within 5 years after release and overall functioning in the community during 2½ years after release. Discriminant analysis was performed on the outcome variable of rearrest; it was found to accurately predict the outcome of 75% of the subjects with the following six variables: adjustment in hospital, clinical assessment of hospital staff, Global Assessment Scale score at release, functioning prior to instant offense, heroin addiction, and birth order. A second discriminant analysis identified seven variables that accurately predicted the overall functioning of 80.4% of the insanity acquittees.

Language: en