CRIME AND VIOLENCE AMONG MENTAL PATIENTS

• NCJ Number: 31933
• Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 133 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1976) Pages: 142-149
• Author(s): A ZITRIN; A S HARDESTY; E I BURDOCK; A K DROSSMAN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: American Psychiatric Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF A STUDY OF THE ARREST RATES OF A SAMPLE OF 867 PATIENTS FROM THE BELLEVUE CATCHMENT AREA WHO WERE DISCHARGED FROM THE PSYCHIATRIC DIVISION OF BELLEVUE HOSPITAL.

Abstract

RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT THE ARREST RATES OF THESE PATIENTS FOR TWO YEARS PRECEDING AND TWO YEARS FOLLOWING THEIR ADMISSIONS TO THE STUDY WERE HIGHER THAN THE ARREST RATES FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION OF THE BELLEVUE CATCHMENT AREA AS WELL AS THOSE FOR 4,601 CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMONLY HELD BELIEF THAT THE MENTALLY ILL COMMIT FEWER CRIMES THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION IS NOT SUPPORTED BY THIS STUDY. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT POSTDISCHARGE CARE OF MENTAL PATIENTS SHOULD INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR SUITABLE COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR TREATMENT, SUPERVISION, OR FOLLOW-UP FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE IT TO PREVENT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR OR ABORT FULL RELAPSES.