Can Involuntary Outpatient Commitment Reduce Arrests Among Persons With Severe Mental Illness?

• NCJ Number: 187418
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 156-189
• Author(s): Jeffrey W. Swanson; Randy Borum; Marvin S. Swartz; Virginia A. Hiday; H. Ryan Wagner; Barbara J. Burns
• Date Published: April 2001
• Length: 34 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01-MH48103-05; P50-MH51410-02
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigates whether involuntary outpatient commitment can reduce arrests among persons with severe mental illness.

Abstract

The North Carolina study examined arrest outcomes in a 1-year randomized study of involuntary outpatient commitment (OPC) in 262 participants with severe mental illness (SMI). Extended OPC was significantly associated with reduced arrest probability (12 percent vs. 45 percent in a subgroup with histories of multiple hospitalizations combined with prior arrests and/or violent behavior). Reduction in risk of violent behavior was a significant mediating factor in the association between OPC and arrest. In persons with SMI whose history of arrests is related directly to illness relapse, OPC may reduce criminal justice contact by increasing participation in mental health services. In addition, the article suggests, OPC reduces violence by improving medication adherence while decreasing substance abuse. The article concludes that, for some mentally ill individuals or subgroups, OPC--judiciously applied--could go a long way toward preventing unnecessary criminal justice contacts and, hence, may improve clinical outcomes. Tables, figures, references