Abstract
Previous research has shown that around one-third of inpatients in high secure units are in a level of security incommensurate with their actual need. In this article we show that in a cohort of 200 inpatients in low secure units in a region of England, one third were assumed to be in an inappropriate level of security; most of these were thought to require a lower level. The characteristics of this cohort are described. Logistic regression was used to find variables that could predict whether an inpatient required a lower level of security. Due to interactions between the two types of unit included in this study (mental health units and learning disabilities* units) two separate models were produced, showing different predictive variables for each type of unit. For those in mental health units, being female and not being a risk to others predicted a need for a lower level of security, and for those in learning disabilities units, being younger and being admitted on an informal basis were predictive. The results are discussed in relation to their implications for service development. *‘Learning disabilities’ is the term used in the UK for ‘mental retardation’ (ICD-10 F70–F79)
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