Citation

Riordan S, Smith H, Humphreys M. Med. Sci. Law 2002; 42(4): 339-343.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/002580240204200410

PMID

12487520

Abstract

In the context of a larger investigation of follow-up of a specific group of mentally disordered individuals, the study described here examined the characteristics of all 55 people conditionally discharged for the first time from a medium secure unit in the West Midlands over a 13-year period. A retrospective case note analysis was undertaken. The findings illustrate that these patients are a distinct group. They were mainly single men who had committed a grave offence. The majority had an extensive criminological history with early onset of offending and chronic mental illness. Fifty percent of those with a criminal record had received at least one custodial sentence prior to the index offence. Co-morbid substance misuse was common, as was a history of self-harm. There were high levels of previous contact with psychiatric services and compulsory in-patient treatment. Most were detained under the Mental Health Act category of mental illness. A quarter had been transferred from a special hospital prior to conditional discharge into the community. The characteristics of this sample demonstrate clearly the need for the provision of long-term medium secure facilities and allied services.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Aged; Commitment of Mentally Ill; Crime; Female; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Outpatients; Retrospective Studies; Security Measures; Social Work, Psychiatric