Common Offence Research Articles

A national survey of offending behaviour amongst intellectually disabled users of mental health services in Ireland.

Offenders with an intellectual disability pose a major challenge to Intellectual Disability Service providers in the Republic of Ireland. This is especially so as no national Forensic Intellectual Disability Service currently exists. The Forensic Intellectual Disability Working Group of the Irish College of Psychiatrists was established in order to take steps to address this issue by establishing the level of need for a Forensic Intellectual Disability Service in Ireland and developing a college position paper. No previous study has been carried out to measure offending behaviour amongst persons with an intellectual disability attending mental health services in Ireland. A postal survey was undertaken targeting the lead clinicians of all Intellectual Disability Psychiatry, General Adult Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry Services in the Republic of Ireland. This survey requested anonymous data regarding service users with an intellectual disability and offending behaviour in this population. Data relating to 431 service users was returned. Those reported to engage in offending behaviour were predominantly young males. Assault was the most common offence type. A significant number of serious offences such as unlawful killing, sexual assault and arson were reported. There is an urgent need for the development of a Forensic Intellectual Disability Service in the Republic of Ireland. The current efforts of the National Forensic Mental Health Service to establish such a service by the creation of a post of Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist (special interest in intellectual disability) are to be welcomed.

Probation and mental health: who cares?

In England, In March 2013, there were 222 000 people serving a probation order in 35 probation trusts. Prisons hold 85 000 people and retain 75% of the overall budget so probation receives three times less money but works to rehabilitate three times more offenders. Eighty-nine per cent of probationers in England are male and the most common offence for both sexes serving a community order was ‘theft and handling’. Those deemed to be high risk constituted 5–7% of both groups. Government reform of the English probation service is imminent. About 70% of the probation population will become managed by the private and voluntary sector over the next 18 months and payment will be linked to reductions in reoffending. Current probation trusts are barred from tendering for business. The government believe that such a new approach will lead to a revolution in rehabilitation. Since April 2013 the NHS has also been reformed and health care is now commissioned by two bodies: NHS England and 211 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), which are led by local GPs and serve local communities. However, as far as health care for offenders is concerned there has been a fundamental split since the implementation of the reforms. NHS England commissions health care for offenders who are detained (prison, police custody, and secure children’s homes). CCGs, which are responsible for commissioning health care for local communities, have also received explicit guidance that they should purchase health care for those on probation. Pertinent aspects of current public sector reform has been briefly described …

The clinical profiles of forensic inpatients with intellectual disabilities in a specialized unit

PurposeIndividuals with intellectual disability (ID), mental health needs and criminal justice system involvement are likely to be admitted to forensic units; however, not all of those individuals are served in that system. It is, therefore, important to understand the profile of those admitted to non‐forensic specialized units for individuals with ID and mental health issues. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachDemographic, clinical and criminal profiles of individuals discharged over nine years from a specialized dual diagnosis program were reviewed to delineate clinical subgroups.FindingsA total of 20 out of 84 total discharges were identified as having past or current criminal justice system involvement. The most common offence was assault and 60 per cent of these individuals had admissions longer than one year. Subgroups by psychiatric diagnosis differed in their age, legal status, offence history, and length of hospital stay, as well as in therapeutic interventions and discharge process.Research limitations/implicationsThe results suggest that inpatients with ID and criminal justice system involvement present with unique treatment, support and risk management needs based on psychiatric diagnosis. The number of individuals in clinical subgroups was low, thus further research is needed to determine if the observed patterns hold true in bigger samples.Originality/valueThe study delineates the complexity and heterogeneity of treatment and supports needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities and offending behaviour.

Veterans in the criminal justice system (CJS) in England and Wales

Objectives(1) Determine the proportion of those in prison or on probation who are veterans of the Regular Armed Forces; (2)describe the demographic characteristics and offence groups of veterans in prison...

Preventing Juvenile Theft in Hong Kong: A Four-level Strategy

Theft is the most common criminal offence committed by youngsters in Hong Kong, and it is no exaggeration to state that the juvenile crime problem will not be improved unless the number of juvenile thefts can be reduced. Crime control through punishment is not an effective way by itself to deal with the problem of juvenile theft, and crime prevention may be a more proactive means of dealing with the issue. Based upon the qualitative data abstracted from semi-structured interviews with 30 subjects aged between 10 and 17, the author summarizes the key features of juvenile theft in Hong Kong and proposes a four-level juvenile crime prevention strategy.

Adolescentes em conflito com a lei

This study is focused on teenagers who behave violently and who are also victims of violence. The data was collected from records of adolescent inmates in São José do Rio Preto. The variables selected were: place of residence, age, education level, type of offense, drugs use, family income, parent education levels, jobs. The findings disclose a social and demographic profile for teenagers around seventeen years old with only elementary education. The most common offence was robbery; followed by theft, homicide, drug dealing, and robbery leading to death. Most of these teenagers smoked tobacco and marijuana, drank alcoholic beverages and took crack. The data indicate a context defined by precarious living conditions where family members have low incomes and poor job skills, together with alcohol abuse. As a result, they help turn teenagers into victims of society. The mother - who typically supports the household - is the strongest presence during the incarceration period, serving as a mediator between the adolescent in conflict with the law, the courts and the community. In view of the high costs of interpersonal violence, it is necessary to develop and implement a municipal strategy for children and adolescents in São José do Rio Preto.

The Meaning of “Short” Sentences of Imprisonment and Offences Against the Administration of Justice: A Perspective from the Court

RésuméLa prolifération de périodes relativement courtes d'emprisonnement, de 30 jours ou moins, au Canada est un sujet peu traité. Une analyse des données de determination de la peine suggère que les infractions contre l'administration de la justice sont le plus souvent reliées à des périodes d'emprisonnement de un à 15 jours. Les données suggèrent que les tribunaux répondent à la sévérité des infractions, ou selon un modèle de proportionnalité. Au-delà de l'analyse quantitative cependant, très peu est connu des objectifs et significations que ces sentences revêtent pour les procureurs de la Couronne et les juges. L'analyse se penche sur ces acteurs, qui forment ce que Eisenstein et Jacob ont appelé uncourtroom workgroup, en tant que producteurs de discours et de significations, dans le cadre de la littérature existante, des theories de determination de la peine et des contraintes organisationnelles. Je suggère que la valeur explicative des theories existantes – notamment celles voulant que la Couronne et les juges réagiraient à la sévérité des infractions contre l'administration de la justice, et visent la dissuasion générale et la dénonciation – est limitée. Les entrevues et l'observation des négociations de culpabilité, révèlent que la gestion du risque ainsi que le travail sur le caractère sont des objectifs importants tant pour les procureurs que les juges. L'étude démontre aussi que que le processus de plea bargaining ne devrait pas être analysé séparément du résultat de la determination de la peine.

Characteristics of juvenile sex offending against strangers: Findings from a non‐clinical study

AbstractPrevious studies of the characteristics of juvenile sex offending have been restricted to clinical samples (with convicted offenders undergoing treatment or assessment), which have several inherent limitations. To overcome these limitations victim allegations made to the London Metropolitan Police, UK, in 2001, of sexual assault by juvenile stranger perpetrators were sampled. The study aimed to determine more accurately the alleged nature of sex offending by this type of juvenile offender (aged less than 18 years) and to determine what factors were associated with the most serious cases of this type of aggressive behaviour. The most common offence characteristics were identified, and relationships between suspect and offence/victim characteristics were statistically tested. Offence seriousness, as indicated by physical violence and the occurrence of penetration, was significantly associated with an assault by a team of offenders, a young victim, and older juvenile offenders. The potential for predicting offender characteristics from offence characteristics was examined. Estimated offender age was significantly predicted by the absence/presence of penetration. An older juvenile offender was predicted by a penetrative attack. Aggr. Behav. 30:243–253, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

The elderly offender: an 11-year survey of referrals to a regional forensic psychiatric service

The elderly offender remains under-researched, with few or no published data on elderly referrals to the medium secure forensic service in the UK. Our aim was to generate data describing the characteristics of elderly offenders, to review whether the complex needs of such patients were being suitably assessed from an holistic perspective and to produce assessment guidelines for elderly forensic referrals. We identified elderly referrals retrospectively and scrutinized their medical notes. We found that 66% of referrals came from solicitors, with sexual offending being the most common offence in 56% of cases. There was no diagnosis of mental disorder in 56%, dementia being the most common diagnosis in 19%. There was poor use of diagnostic tools and investigations in the assessment process. An integrated approach to assessment and management between the forensic and old age psychiatric services is advocated. We have no declaration of interest to make.

A Review of Car Crime in England and Wales

With 21 per cent of offences recorded by the police in the 12 months ending March 1999, and representing 1,077,700 thefts of and from vehicles, motor vehicle crime is the single most common offence in England and Wales. Young males under 21 years have been found to be responsible for three‐quarters of car thefts. Studies in the United Kingdom suggest the characteristics of these offenders include those associated with socio‐economic deprivation and poor self‐esteem; whilst for many, involvement in car crime is a means of seeking excitement. The requirement to identify the needs of car offenders, and the establishment of intent and purpose within offending behaviour programmes, saw an increase in the number of probation‐based motor projects from 1990. Access to the car, and opportunities to drive in controlled environments were present in some of the newer projects, although many had abandoned this principle. Whilst little empirical evidence exists to support their claims, a number of projects have boasted success in their efforts to reduce the risks of further car crime amongst offenders who have completed programmes at motor projects as part of their sentences. Eight motor projects that challenge offending behaviour are reviewed and the latest Home Office evaluation discussed.

Drug misuse and acquisitive crime among clients recruited to the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS)

AbstractBackgroundCriminal activity among drug‐misusing populations can result in considerable costs. This paper examines the relationship between acquisitive criminal behaviour and drug use among a cohort of 1075 clients recruited to the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS).MethodClients were recruited from 54 drug misuse treatment programmes in England. A structured interview was administered by clinical staff. The majority of clients were opiate‐dependent poly‐drug users.Results27 000 acquisitive criminal offences were reported by the cohort in the three months prior to starting treatment, of which shoplifting was the most common offence. There was marked variation in the amount of acquisitive crime reported; just 10% of the sample were responsible for three‐quarters of the crimes committed. Two other groups were identified: low‐rate offenders, and those who did not commit an acquisitive crime. Multivariate analyses revealed that frequency of illicit drug use was associated with increased levels of criminal behaviour. Compared with the no‐crime group, the high‐rate offenders were 11 times more likely to be regular users of heroin, and three times more likely to have used cocaine regularly.DiscussionThese findings suggest that the most dependent and problematic drug misusers present treatment services with the greatest challenge in terms of reducing levels of criminality. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.

A Review of Outrage of Modesty Offenders Remanded in a State Mental Hospital

Minor sexual offences have been increasing over the years. These include parasexual offences such as exhibitionism, frotteurism and its variant. In Singapore, a common minor sexual offence which involves touching, grabbing, kissing or fondling is known as outrage of modesty or molestation. To date no known studies have been made on this subtype of sexual offender. This is a five-year retrospective study looking into the profile of 157 outrage of modestry offenders remanded to Woodbridge Hospital, a state mental hospital. Results showed that schizophrenia was the predominant psychiatric diagnosis amongst the offenders (45.3%) followed by mental retardation (21.7%). Only 28.7% of those suffering from a mental illness experienced active psychiatric symptoms at the time of the sexual offence. Touching, stroking or fondling were the most frequently reported type of molestation (60.5%). The majority of the offences took place between 6 am and 6 pm. Only 15.3% had a past history of sexual offences and the majority (94.9%) were of sound mind at the time of the offence. There were no statistically significant differences between first time and repeat offenders with regard to age, ethnic group, educational level, marital status, diagnoses, place of offence, time and type of offence, soundness of mind and fitness to plead.

Challenges for copyright in a digital age

The act of breaching copyright is probably the most common civil offence, and is often not considered as being unlawful by the perpetrator. The revenue that is lost by a copyright owner when illegal copying takes place can be significant. Losses may become unacceptably large in the future given the expected explosion of computerised, multimedia services. This paper discusses the problems copyright owners face when trying to maintain cost-effective control of their copyright in a digital age. It then proposes an initial model of a software-based system that provides copyright protection of multimedia information when delivered by Internet-based services.

An Attempt to measure the Extra Risk arising from a Consumptive Family History when the Life proposed for Assurance is physically Sound and Healthy

It has been said that there is nothing so delusive as figures. especially in the form of statistics; and to a very large extent this is true. There is a real science of statistics which very few are acquainted with; and the consequence is that enormous labour is often expended on the collection of “Facts” which are not only useless but misleading. So-called “Facts” are often used as a crushing answer to some statement which may be perfectly true; and sometimes with effect, simply because the materials are not at hand to measure correctly the value of the statistics used. The most common offence is that of attempting to draw general conclusions from partial or imperfect observations. For instance, what is the value of the statistics of a coroner respecting the proportion of children murdered, out of the number which come under his observation, when the millions who do not come under his observation are not taken into consideration? Yet such statistics were gravely used to prove that two millions of people insured their children's lives with a view to murdering them, and that therefore such insurances ought to be suppressed. If any weight were to be attached to such statistics we might have it gravely stated, on the evidence of a coroner, that nearly every one died a sudden or violent death.