Abstract
Objective: To determine forensic, clinical, social and administrative outcomes of high security patients.
Method: Prospective year follow-up study of 169 patients with schizophrenia, 1992 - 1993.
Results: By the end of the study 46 (27.2%) patients were in high security, 43 (25.5%) in medium or low secure units, 35 (20.7%) in an open ward, 3 (1.8%) in prison and 40 (23.7%) in the community. Violence occurred in 75% of patients over the ten year follow-up period, and this was serious in 25%. Continuous positive symptoms of psychosis were present in over one-third. One-third had self-harmed during this period but there was only one known suicide and 11 (6.5%) deaths in total. At the end of the study there was only one person in voluntary employment, 18 (12.7%) living independently and 10(7.1%) in a relationship. , Models were developed to determine factors relevant to these major outcomes.
Conclusions: This is the first study providing comprehensive outcome data over a ten year period. Forensic services appear good at managing the risk to the community but poor at promoting better social outcomes. The levels of violence within inpatient units is high.
Method: Prospective year follow-up study of 169 patients with schizophrenia, 1992 - 1993.
Results: By the end of the study 46 (27.2%) patients were in high security, 43 (25.5%) in medium or low secure units, 35 (20.7%) in an open ward, 3 (1.8%) in prison and 40 (23.7%) in the community. Violence occurred in 75% of patients over the ten year follow-up period, and this was serious in 25%. Continuous positive symptoms of psychosis were present in over one-third. One-third had self-harmed during this period but there was only one known suicide and 11 (6.5%) deaths in total. At the end of the study there was only one person in voluntary employment, 18 (12.7%) living independently and 10(7.1%) in a relationship. , Models were developed to determine factors relevant to these major outcomes.
Conclusions: This is the first study providing comprehensive outcome data over a ten year period. Forensic services appear good at managing the risk to the community but poor at promoting better social outcomes. The levels of violence within inpatient units is high.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | RJFP 1308537 |
| Journal | The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology |
| Early online date | 27 Mar 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 27 Mar 2017 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- schizophrenia, outcomes, high security, mentally disordered offenders