Abstract
BackgroundFor individuals who have a psychiatric disorder and have committed a major crime, the rate of re-offending is twice as high in the US compared to nine other countries for which there is comparable data. For such individuals the average five-year rearrest rate is approximately 40% for those released from psychiatric hospitals and 60% for those released from jails or prisons. The use of treatment modalities such as extended conditional release, Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams, and Psychiatric Security Review Boards can reduce the rearrest rate from 40–60% to 10% or less.MethodsAll 50 states were surveyed to assess how they were doing in providing follow-up treatment for such individuals.ResultsSixteen states were found to be making a moderate effort to provide follow-up treatment, and another 13 states are making a minimal effort. However, the other 21 states, 42% of the total, are making virtually no effort, lending to an unnecessarily high rate of re-offending.DiscussionUsing proven treatment approaches the re-arrest rate of individuals with serious mental illness can be reduced from 40–60% to 10% or less.
Highlights
Patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders have an increased likelihood of engaging in violent behavior
Patient, ward and staff variables are integrated to explain why, and in what specific situations, psychotic patients run a high risk of engaging in aggressive behavior
A more novel intervention at the patient level may be the additional administration of nutritional supplements with high levels of omega 3 fatty acids
Summary
For individuals who have a psychiatric disorder and have committed a major crime, the rate of re-offending is twice as high in the US compared to nine other countries for which there is comparable data. For such individuals the average five-year rearrest rate is approximately 40% for those released from psychiatric hospitals and 60% for those released from jails or prisons. Methods: All 50 states were surveyed to assess how they were doing in providing follow-up treatment for such individuals. Results: Sixteen states were found to be making a moderate effort to provide follow-up treatment, and another 13 states are making a minimal effort. Discussion: Using proven treatment approaches the re-arrest rate of individuals with serious mental illness can be reduced from 40–60% to 10% or less
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