Conditionally discharged restricted patients and the need for long-term medium security

Sharon Riordan, Martin Humphreys

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    7 Citations (Scopus)

    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 per cent 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.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)339-343
    Number of pages5
    JournalMedicine, Science and the Law
    Volume42
    Issue number4
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2002

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