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There is a lack of knowledge on mentally disordered sex offenders (MDSOs) targeting adult victims, especially regarding recidivism patterns and the specific subgroup with psychiatric disorders. This paper presents index offense data, clinical data, and recidivism patterns over up to 24 years in a cohort of 146 MDSOs, with and without psychotic disorders, sentenced in Sweden between 1993 and 1997. At the time of the offense, all offenders were affected by clinical, developmental, and criminal history factors. MDSOs with psychotic disorders only marginally differed from those without, the former being less likely to have been institutionalized during childhood, intoxicated during the index offense, or diagnosed with a personality disorder, substance use disorder, or paraphilic disorder. In the cohort, 3.4% of the MDSOs were reconvicted for a new sex offense over 2 years, 9.6% over 5 years, 13.0% over 10 years, and 17.1% over the entire follow-up period of 24 years. In MDSOs with psychotic disorders, no subjects were reconvicted during the first 2 years, while 2.6% were reconvicted over 5 years, 5.3% over 10 years, and 7.9% over 24 years. Recidivism rates for violent and general reoffenses were 39.0% and 37.7%, respectively, for the cohort of MDSOs, and subjects with psychotic disorders reoffended significantly later in general offenses. In conclusion, MDSOs with psychotic disorders showed the same recidivism pattern as MDSOs without psychotic disorders. Furthermore, recidivism research may preferably focus on follow-up periods of 5-10 years since most offenders appear to recidivate within this timeframe.

The goal of this study was to examine risk/protective factors to criminality in an adolescent population. Retrospective chart review was utilized to gather data on psychiatric history, substance us...

This study investigates the relationship of delusional disorder and its subtypes to criminal and violent behavior by comparing the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with and without a criminal history and identifying predictors of crime. The records of 346 patients with a delusional disorder diagnosis were retrospectively evaluated using a sociodemographic data form, a crime violence rating scale and the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS). The results show that homicide and attempted homicide were committed more frequently by patients with jealous delusions, whereas verbal assault and crimes against the public were committed more frequently by patients with persecutory and other delusions. Patients with a criminal history had more hospital admissions and longer stays. Marital status, persecutory delusions, a high OAS score and older age were found to be associated with higher risk of crime. Clinical subtypes and sociodemographic characteristics seem to discriminate delusional disorder patients' risk of crime.

This study examines potential gender differences among defendants referred by criminal courts for psychiatric evaluations by analyzing demographic, clinical, and criminal history variables and eval...

The past two decades, a disproportionate growth of females entering the criminal justice system and forensic mental health services has been observed worldwide. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the background of women who are convicted for violent offenses. What is their criminal history, what are their motives for offending and in which way do they differ from men convicted for violent offenses? In this study, criminal histories and the offenses for which they were admitted to forensic care were analyzed of 218 women and 218 men who have been treated between 1984 and 2014 with a mandatory treatment order in one of four Dutch forensic psychiatric settings admitting both men and women. It is concluded that there are important differences in violent offending between male and female patients. Most importantly, female violence was more often directed towards their close environment, like their children, and driven by relational frustration. Furthermore, female patients received lower punishments compared to male patients and were more often considered to be diminished accountable for their offenses due to a mental illness.

Few studies have examined the impact of criminal history on hiring outcomes for women and even fewer studies have explored the effectiveness of mechanisms aimed to improve hiring outcomes for women with criminal history. The overall objectives of the current study were to examine (1) whether criminal history negatively influenced hiring outcomes for women and if so, (2) whether Ohio���s certificate of relief could improve hiring outcomes for women. These objectives were achieved with the use of an experimental correspondence audit that addressed limitations of prior research and utilized innovative methodological approaches. The results showed that callback (i.e., invitation to continue in the hiring process) point estimates for those with no record were higher than those with a record and no certificate. However, the differences between these two conditions lacked statistical significance. Further, while callback probabilities for certificate holders were statistically indistinguishable from those with no record, the callback probabilities for certificate holders were also statistically indistinguishable from those with a record and no certificate. Finally, there were no statistically significant racial differences. These results were supported in several robustness checks. Despite the lack of statistical significance, several findings have substantive significance and these findings are discussed in detail.

There is a paucity of research on forensic psychiatry patients from Nunavut, including no published data concerning the prevalence and characterisation of patients in this territory. The lack of basic information hinders the evaluation of services and establishing best practices. The current paper aims to characterise forensic psychiatry patients from Nunavut and further the understanding of the challenges in organising forensic psychiatry healthcare in Nunavut. A retrospective chart review design was used to examine individuals from Nunavut who are engaged with the Ontario forensic psychiatry system. The sample included all Unfit to Stand Trial (26.7%) and Not Criminally Responsible (73.3%) patients (N = 15) under the jurisdiction of the Nunavut Review Board in a one-year period. The average distance between the patient’s place of residence in Nunavut and the Ontario facilities was 2,517 km. Overall, 26.7% were living in Nunavut, 60.0% remained in Ontario, and 13.3% resided in Alberta. Results are presented for sociodemographics, forensic status, personal and familial history, psychiatric and criminal history, diagnoses, index offence characteristics, treatment, assessment tools, and aggression. The prevalence and many characteristics of forensic psychiatry patients from Nunavut differ from the rest of Canada and have important implications for the delivery of services.

Objective The goal of this study was to measure the most important factors in candidate applications that anesthesiology program directors (PDs) use to decide who to invite for an interview, and how that might change once the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 is only reported as pass/fail. Design Based on a literature review, a comprehensive list of 27 factors used by PDs to select candidates for the interview was developed. An anonymous survey link was emailed to PDs of all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited Anesthesiology residencies. The survey asked PDs to rank order the top 10 factors they currently consider for making interview invitation, and then to repeat the rank ordering as if the USMLE Step 1 score was instead reported as pass/fail as will be done beginning in 2022. Results Forty-five of 159 (28%) PDs responded, with 82% disagreeing with changing the Step 1 score to pass/fail. 84% consider the Step 1 score (77% for Step 2) moderately or very important for selecting an applicant for an interview. The most frequently mentioned "red flags" were failure of a licensing exam, failure of a medical school course, gaps in education without explanation, and criminal history. 69% of PDs agreed that applicants coming from the medical school affiliated with their program would have an advantage over other applicants. Although, the three factors most commonly ranked in the top 10 in importance were the Step 1 score, followed by letters of recommendation, and then the Medical School Performance Evaluation, variability exists in how PDs ranked factors. For example, of the PDs that had Step 1 in the top 10, 27% had it ranked between the 6th and 10th most important. 9% of PDs did not have Step 1 score in the top 10. Core clinical clerkship grades were one of the top 5 factors by 49% of PDs, yet overall was the 6th most common top 10 factor as 36% of PDs did not have core clerkship grades at all in the top 10. Once Step 1 is reported only as pass/fail, PDs had letters of recommendation, Step 2, and the Medical School Performance Evaluation as the most frequently ranked factors in the top 10. 64% of the PDs supported restricting the number of programs a candidate can apply to, with the majority suggesting a limit of 15 to 20 programs per applicant. Conclusion Variability exists among anesthesiology PDs in the key criteria for offering an applicant an interview. Once Step 1 is reported as pass/fail, there will be an increased emphasis on Step 2 scores.

Purpose One of the shortcomings of survey trend data on substance use among racial and ethnic groups is not accounting for any criminal history effects. We address this missing piece by examining trends in illicit substance use and binge drinking among those arrested and booked for a crime. Methods Survey data collected between 2002 and 2013 as part of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Trend analyses were restricted to non-Hispanic whites, African-Americans, and Hispanic adolescents (ages 12–17) and young adults in the sample (ages 18–25) who report being arrested and booked for a crime. Results Findings reveal a severity-based gradient in which the prevalence of illicit drug use is lowest among African-Americans, incrementally higher among Hispanics, and highest among non-Hispanic whites. This gradient, observable among both developmental subgroups, is particularly evident among young adult offenders. Discussion While drug-related crimes are one of several fuels of incarceration, the racial and ethnic disparity in use does not necessarily indicate a causal connection with respect to race and crime, as many other factors could be driving the increased prevalence of crime among non-white populations such as possessing a greater number of risk factors for offending other than substance use.

The current study examines whether racial differences exist for defendants referred by criminal courts for pretrial psychiatric evaluations across demographic, clinical, and criminal history variab...

Introduction: This case study offers a detailed analysis of the effects of Holographic Kinetics applied to a patient with drug addictions and violent behaviors with a criminal history. Case: A 19 year old male, with a history of violence towards others, killing animals, heroin addiction and incarceration and requested Holographic Kinetics after deciding he did not want to return to high security prison and did not want to die like his sister of an heroin overdose. Results: This patient experienced a significant change in behaviors from his tendencies prior to receiving Holographic Kinetic (HK) treatments. 6 months after the HK session, he has not consumed heroin and stopped killing animals as a hobby. He went back to school to learn fashion and how to start his own business. Conclusion: This case study shows a major potential for two of the biggest problems of our modern societies, criminal behaviors and heroin addiction among our youth.

This study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate stigma experiences and self-concepts of individuals with both mental illness and criminal histories. The full sample of participants ...

Mental health diversion is an important option for offenders with mental illness who do not pose a serious risk to public safety and who would otherwise be better served outside the criminal justice system. Predictors of complete vs. incomplete diversion were examined in a sample of 708 defendants seen in Toronto's mental health diversion programs. Univariate analyses revealed that unsuccessfully diverted defendants were significantly more likely to be younger, homeless, and have more clinical and legal needs compared to those who were successfully diverted. In multivariate analyses, criminological factors (e.g., criminal history) had the strongest association with diversion completion, compared to clinical (e.g., primary diagnosis) and psychosocial (e.g., employment status) factors outside of marital status, which was strongly associated with completion. The results from this research add to previous research on mental health courts and diversion by giving guidance on how to select and prepare di...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether criminal history risk moderates the effect of probation on future reoffending. A sample of 327 participants from the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97) who had been on probation were compared with 327 propensity score matched members of the NLSY97 who had been arrested but not placed on probation. Probation and arrest data analyzed between 1999 and 2008 failed to support the presence of an overall effect for probation. When the sample was divided into higher criminal history risk (one or more prior arrests) and lower criminal history risk (no prior arrests), however, probation was found to reduce recidivism in the lower criminal history risk group but not in the higher criminal history risk group. Accordingly, probation appeared to have a small but significant ameliorative effect on future offending in lower criminal history risk offenders.

The Mental Health Court (MHC) allows for defendants with mental illness to receive community-based treatment while helping to avoid further involvement in the criminal justice system. Studies have demonstrated varying degrees of success for participants’ rearrest rate and severity while in the community. The role of prior criminal behavior on success in MHC, and for up to 3 years after release from MHC, was examined. Data was gathered on 118 participants in MHC, 80 of which graduated, and 38 who were dismissed without graduating. Arrests were coded prior to entering MHC and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after release. Recidivism included arrest severity, offense type, and quantity of offenses. Significantly fewer defendants who completed MHC were rearrested at all windows of time after release. Completing MHC also predicted living more days free without rearrest. Criminal history was not consistently predictive of recidivism when failing MHC was included in the model. The severity of the charges when rearrested was predicted only by completing MHC, not by criminal history. The greater the amount of days spent in MHC was associated with rearrests for lesser crime types (such as property offenses) at 3 years for individuals who did not complete MHC. These results suggest that participation in MHC was able to reduce recidivism regardless of varying severity of criminal history. The impact of MHC was so great that length of participation reduced severity of offense type after 3 years even for those who ultimately did not complete the requirements.

Firearm violence frequently involves alcohol, but there are no studies of misuse of alcohol and risk for future violence among firearm owners. We examined the association between prior convictions for alcohol-related crimes, chiefly driving under the influence (DUI), and risk of subsequent arrest among 4066 individuals who purchased handguns in California in 1977. During follow-up through 1991, 32.8% of those with prior alcohol-related convictions and 5.7% of those with no prior criminal history were arrested for a violent or firearm-related crime; 15.9% and 2.7%, respectively, were arrested for murder, rape, robbery or aggravated assault. Prior alcohol-related convictions were associated with a fourfold to fivefold increase in risk of incident arrest for a violent or firearm-related crime, a relative increase greater than that seen for age, sex or prior violence. Prior convictions for alcohol-related crime may be an important predictor of risk for future criminal activity among purchasers of firearms.

In the United States, information about a person’s criminal history is accessible with a name and date of birth. Ruth Crampton has studied nurses’ care for prisoner-patients in hospital settings and found care to be perfunctory and reactive. This article examines whether it is morally permissible for nurses in hospital settings to access information about prisoner-patients’ criminal histories. Nurses may argue for a right to such information based on the right to personal safety at work or the obligation to provide prisoner-patients with the care that they deserve. These two arguments are considered and rejected. It is further argued that accessing information about a prisoner-patient’s criminal history violates nurses’ duty to care. Care, understood through Sarah Ruddick’s account as work and relationship, requires nurses to be open and unbiased in order to do their part in forming a caring relationship with patients. Knowledge of a prisoner-patient’s criminal history inhibits the formation of this relationship and thus violates nurses’ duty to care.

Lethal violence is often seen as the tip of the iceberg and homicide perpetrators are seen as manifesting the most extreme number of various risk factors. This article explores whether that is the case. Using a unique data set combining data from several administrative registers with a nationally representative sample of different types of police-reported violence committed during 2010–2011 (N = 26,303 offenders) in Finland, we compare the offenders of five different types of violence (minor assault, assault, aggravated assault, attempted homicide, and completed homicide). In addition, we examine the association between the severity of violence and prior criminal history and different types of strain. The results give partial support to the hypothesis: the more serious the violence, the more crime prone and socially disadvantaged the offender. Yet, lethal offenders do not stand out alone; the division, rather, appears to be between offenders of serious (aggravated assault, attempted homicide, completed homicide) and less serious (minor assault, assault) forms of violence.

Approximately 35,000 people are reported missing each year in Australia; rates elsewhere are even higher, with a recent UK study suggesting that a person goes missing every 2 min. Missing persons place a significant burden on police services; it is interesting, therefore, that very little research attention has been paid to this topic. This mixed methods study aimed to address this significant gap by analysing the mental health and criminal justice histories of a sample of missing persons and comparing them to rates in the general community. The study found that both mental health and criminal justice histories were significantly overrepresented among missing persons compared to those in the general community, and that young people reported missing commonly displayed suicidal behaviour. Results highlight at risk groups and suggest that criminality is much more commonly implicated in missing person incidents than previously thought.

The extent to which sexual offenders are a group separate from other types of offenders has been debated for many years and investigated from different perspectives. The present study investigated similarities and differences regarding socio-economic background, criminal history and recidivism involving new crimes between rape offenders and three other groups: other sexual offenders, non-sexual violent offenders and other offenders. Data came from Norwegian population registers containing information on all crimes investigated from 1992 to 2012. The sample consisted of all persons convicted in 2002 and 2003 (N = 36,951). Background characteristics and estimated recidivism risk was described using hazard models. Results indicated that men convicted of rape (n = 142) had lower levels of education and that a higher percentage of them were on social benefits compared to the other crime groups. A large majority (79%) of rape-convicted men had previous convictions. Rape offenders were considerably more ...

Resumo: A violência baseada no gênero tem se constituído em um fenômeno social que influencia sobremaneira o modo de viver, adoecer e morrer das mulheres. Este estudo visa conhecer as diferenças antes e após a criação da Lei Maria da Penha (LMP) nas agressões sofridas pelas mulheres que foram atendidas na Unidade de Proteção Especial do Estado do Ceará. Trata-se de um estudo seccional, exploratório-descritivo e documental. A amostra foi composta por 197 prontuários das mulheres atendidas em uma Unidade de Proteção Especial do Estado do Ceará entre os anos de 2001 e 2012. Os dados foram analisados através do SPSS(r) versão 20. As questões éticas deste estudo foram alicerçadas na Resolução n.º 466/12. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (COMEPE) da Universidade Federal do Ceará, por meio do protocolo nº 369.332. Os resultados apontam que as mulheres agredidas são jovens (53,5%), pardas (47,2%), sem união estável (68,0%), com baixa escolaridade (91,4%), sem renda mensal fixa (30,5%), que residem em casa própria (35,5%) com familiares (13,7%), são beneficiárias de algum programa de transferência de renda (26,9%) e não possuem trabalhos formais (69,1%). Os agressores são jovens (71,7%, p=0,862), desenvolvem trabalho manual (41,5%, p=0,976), consomem álcool (86,8%, p=0,814), drogas ilícitas (54,7%, p=0,249) e cigarro (54,7%, p=0,931). Após a implantação da LMP, os agressores possuem mais antecedentes criminais (58,5%, p=0,000); a agressão tem ocorrido mais de uma vez, com maior número de denúncias e número de boletim de ocorrência, sendo o uso de substâncias psicoativas (22,6%, p=0,032) ou ciúme (18,9%, p=0,032) o fator desencadeante através de força física (45,3%, p=0,619), representada em hematomas (13,2%, p=0,726) ou não deixando marcas perceptíveis (22,6%, p=0,726) localizadas na cabeça, rosto e pescoço (28,3%, p=0,031). O perfil da violência doméstica se modificou com a promulgação da Lei Maria da Penha e este cenário demanda o desenvolvimento de ações sociais e de saúde voltadas para erradicação/controle e assistência efetiva deste grave problema social e de saúde pública. Abstract: The violence based on gender has been constituted as a social phenomenon which influences the way of life, illness and death of women. This study analyzes the profile of assaults suffered by women victims of domestic violence before and after the creation of the Maria da Penha Law (LMP). It is a cross-sectional, descriptive exploratory search through archival study. The sample consisted of 197 medical records of women who were attended at a Special Protection Unit of the state of Ceará in the years between 2001 and 2012. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The ethical issues of this study were based on Resolution n.º 466/12. The project was approved by the Federal University of Ceará Research Ethics Committee (COMEPE) protocol 369.332. The results show that battered women are young (53.5%), brown (47.2%), without stable union (68.0%), with low education (91.4%), no fixed monthly income (30.5%), reside at home (35.5%) with family members (13.7%), are beneficiaries of any program income transfer (26.9%) and do not have formal jobs (69.1%). The attackers are young (71.7%, p=0.862), develop manual work (41.4%, p=0.976), consume alcohol (86.8%, p=0.814), illicit drugs (54.7%, p=0.249) and tobacco (54.7%, p=0.931). After the implementation of LMP, the attackers have more criminal history (58.7%, p=0.000); aggression has occurred more than once, with the largest number of complaints and the number of police occurrence report, and the use of psychoactive substances (22.6%, p=0.032) or jealousy (18.9%, p=0.032) triggering factors through physical (45.3%, p=0.619) force represented in leaving (13.2%, p=0.726) no noticeable bruises (22.6%, p=0.726) or marks located on the head, face and neck (28.3%, p=0.031). The profile of domestic violence has changed with the enactment of Law Maria da Penha and this scenario requires the development of social and health actions aimed at eradication / control, and effective assistance of this serious social problem and public health.

Background Community re-entry from custody programmes facilitate access to community resources, such as cash assistance and food stamps, with the aim of reducing criminal recidivism. Evidence that these programmes achieve is mainly from longer-term prisoners rather than short-term jail inmates. Aim The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that facilitating access to community resources while still in jail would reduce re-arrest rates among former jail inmates in the USA. Methods Community resources offered to the jail inmates participating in this study included Medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance. Participants who opted to sign up for these social services were matched with non-applicants based on date of release (n = 101). Each participant's criminal history was coded prior to release from the jail and at three months, six months and one year after release. Results Contrary to our original hypotheses, recidivism was not significantly reduced in the applicant group. People released after facilitated access to community assistance had an increase in drug offence severity at six months after release. Recidivism also differed by age and race. Conclusion The substance offences in the applicant group suggested that cash benefits provided the released offender with the means to sustain their substance misuse. Treatment for substance misuse should be incorporated with other resources in order to reduce recidivism effectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Demographic, criminal history, instant case, treatment modality, program failure, and re-arrest data were collected from 400 New York City drug court participants. Actuarial risk scores were created for program failure and re-arrest by performing stepwise logistic regressions based on criminal history, present case, and demographic predictors of these outcomes. Placement in a residential (vs. outpatient) setting increased the likelihood of program failure and re-arrest after controlling for actuarial risk scores. Residential placement was particularly counter-productive with low-risk program participants, whose re-arrest rate was more than double that of low-risk participants placed in an outpatient setting. Conversely, placement of low-risk participants in the least restrictive treatment modality—a non-intensive outpatient setting—lowered the likelihood of re-arrest relative to placement either in a residential setting or an intensive outpatient program. Results are discussed in terms of the Risk-need-responsivity model of offender intervention, which recommends avoiding overly restrictive treatment of low-risk offenders.

Injury deaths have a major impact on public health systems, particularly in the Latin American region; however, little is known about how different drugs, in combination or not with alcohol, interact with each injury type. We tested an epidemiological protocol for investigating alcohol and other drug acute use among fatally injured victims taking into account the injury context for all injury causes in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Blood alcohol and drug content were fully screened and confirmed following a probability sample selection of decedents (n = 365) during 19 consecutive months (2014–2015). Drug concentrations, including benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, and opioids were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) or liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Toxicology data were interpreted in combination with injury context retrieved from police records regarding cause, place of injury, and victims’ criminal history. More than half of all fatally injured victims studied were under the influence of at least one substance (55.3%). Alcohol was the leading substance consumed before a fatal injury event (30.1%), followed by cocaine (21.9%) and cannabis (14%). Illicit drug use (cocaine and cannabis) comprised more than two thirds of all drug-related deaths. Alcohol-positive deaths are over-represented among road traffic injuries, while drug-positive deaths are more prevalent among intentional injuries. Victims who had previous criminal convictions were significantly more likely to have used illicit drugs compared to those who did not have a criminal background. We estimated that one in every two fatal injuries in the city of Sao Paulo is associated with acute substance use by the victim. The health burden attributed to alcohol- and drug-related fatal injury events has reached significant higher levels in Latin American cities such as Sao Paulo compared globally.

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., In Portugal the expert whose report supports the criminal defence of not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) must also consider the defendant's dangerousness. Nevertheless, the concept of dangerousness has received little attention in the Portuguese critical literature. Moreover, there is concern that the concept is often used improperly. We endeavoured to evaluate a sample of Portuguese forensic reports in order to discuss: 1) the prevalence of defendants who were considered guilty, NGRI, and dangerous; 2) which treatments were proposed; and 3) the frequency of technical errors found. We analysed 124 case folders from the year 2006, from both mainland Portugal and the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores, which included an evaluation of dangerousness of the defendants. These 124 cases were analysed using frequencies, correlations and multiple logistic regressions. The majority of the defendants were male and single. Thirty-nine percent (39%) were considered NGRI. A total of 34% of the defendants were considered dangerous or no dangerousness could be excluded. In 66% of cases treatment was recommended but in only 9% was admission to a forensic hospital recommended. Technical errors in the forensic reports, both of format and content, were identified in 26% of the 124 cases, the incidence of errors being high in reports from certain institutions. The majority of the forensic reports did not discuss the educational background of the defendants or their criminal history/records. We conclude that the experience of the expert is crucial in producing an appropriate report. The establishment of uniform criteria for the preparation of forensic reports and enhanced training of psychiatrists in forensic psychiatry should be considered as possible strategies to improve the accuracy of forensic reporting, particularly when assessing dangerousness.

Drawing on the most recent research on filicide in Australia and internationally, this chapter highlights a number of risk factors evident in Australian research including the vulnerability of very young children, the mental illness of the perpetrator, prior domestic violence inflicted by the male perpetrator or suffered by the female perpetrator, parental separation, prior child abuse, substance abuse, the criminal history of the perpetrator, the presence of a step-father and the perpetrator’s use of or failure to engage with services. The chapter argues that the constellation of factors varies according to perpetrator group and that professionals carrying out risk assessments need to take this into consideration.

The present study examined recidivism in a sample of rural and urban drug-involved prisoners who were interviewed face-to-face shortly before parole and again 1 year later. Sociodemographic information, substance use, mental health, and criminal histories were collected. Variables significant at the bivariate level were used in separate logistic regression models to identify the strongest predictors of recidivism for rural and urban participants. While substance use and incarceration at a younger age predicted recidivism in both groups, several additional predictors emerged for urban participants including being younger, non-White, not employed full-time, and more extensive mental health problems and criminal histories.

The question of whether there are offenders who specialise in violent offences is one that has been of considerable interest to life course developmental criminology as well as policy makers and the public. The current study investigated this using an administrative dataset of juvenile offenders from New South Wales, Australia. Specifically, it asked whether offenders convicted of a serious violent offence differed in their demographic, criminal history and reoffending profiles and whether there were further differences in these factors across gender and cultural identity. Overall, the findings indicated that violence is more likely to occur in the context of an extensive criminal career. Indigenous male individuals were the most frequent and chronic offenders in the sample. The policy and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

Urban non-indigenous populations report life events (marriages, employment) as influences for self-initiated cannabis cessation. However, this hasn't been investigated in remote indigenous populations with different social paradigms.We investigate cannabis use, harms, and poly-substance misuse in 101 consenting male incarcerated indigenous Australians. Interviews applied quantitative and qualitative questions assessing demographic characteristics, criminal history, drug use, the Marijuana Problems Inventory (MPI), and cannabis-cessation influences. Comparisons used Chi Square, Analysis of Variance, and Nvivo software.Cannabis use groups (current users, ex-users, and never users) were demographically similar except that current users reported more juvenile legal problems, younger school departure, and lower school achievement (p0.05). Mean cannabis consumption was 12.3 cones/day. Incarceration and family responsibilities were the strongest cessation influences. Employment responsibilities and negative self-image were rarely cited as influences.High cannabis use, with its associated problems, is concerning. These identified influences indicate incarceration should be used for substance reduction programs, plus post-release follow-up. Community-based programs focusing on positive influences, such as family responsibilities and social cohesion, may be successful within indigenous populations with strong kinship responsibilities, rather than programs that focus solely on substance harms.

Accuracy of risk assessment instruments in predicting violence may appear poor if substantial numbers of study participants subsequently reoffend non-violently instead of violently as predicted. This study examined effects of changing the violent outcome on predictive accuracy of five instruments (OGRS, RM2000(V), VRAG, PCL-R, HCR20) for 1,353 male and 304 female released prisoners in England and Wales. Adding self-reported violence to criminal convictions resulted in a moderate increase in violent outcome among women, but was small among men. After removing offenders who subsequently reoffended non-violently, significant improvement in accuracy was found on all instruments for men, but not women. We concluded that risk assessment instruments for violence may be more accurate than previously described, but improvement can only be achieved with certain samples. Instruments relying heavily on previous criminal history for predictive power can demonstrate improved accuracy, but only after removing non-violen...

Drug courts have been used in the criminal justice system to treat substance use disorders since 1989. This study evaluates a drug court in Indiana, focusing specifically on the most predictive variables for being terminated from the program and comparing recidivism patterns of drug court and probation participants. Participants were most likely to be terminated from drug court if they did not have a high school diploma or equivalent at admission, were not employed or a student at admission, identified cocaine as a drug of choice, had more positive drug tests, had a violation within the first 30 days of the program, and had a criminal history. Additional findings suggest that drug court is more effective than probation at reducing criminal recidivism rates for offenders with substance use disorders. Implications for drug court practice and future research are discussed.

A pilot test of clinician-rated validity of scores on a Correction Modified-Global Assessment of Functioning (CM-GAF) scale was performed by assessing a random sample of 60 adult male and female offenders at two correctional facilities. Pairs of trained clinicians assessed the offenders with the CM-GAF and GAF instruments. Regression analyses were conducted. Variables included in the analysis were demographic characteristics (age, gender, and race), criminal history (number of incarcerations, violent/non-violent offense, year of current incarceration), number of disciplinary reports (tickets), and Connecticut Department of Corrections (CDOC) risk scores. The model for the CM-GAF yielded one significant predictor variable, Presence of Pending Charges Risk Score (B = -7.25, p = .003), predicting 44.4% of the variance. This finding suggests that higher functioning offenders tend not to have pending charges, which may be a proxy for length of incarceration. Newly admitted offenders are more likely to have pending charges and more likely to exhibit disruptive and disorganized behaviors. Management of mentally ill persons who are incarcerated is facilitated when inter-professional frontline staff can communicate using a common language. Frequent assessment with an instrument that is understandable across disciplines has the potential to improve care, and as few standardized mental health instruments are modified and tested for use in the prison environment. Additional studies, refining scoring across subsamples by age, race, gender, diagnosis, and levels of security, are still needed.

Urban female exotic dancers are thought to experience unique risk for violence and barriers to care, though limited research has focused on this aspect of urban sex industries. We characterize recent client-perpetrated and intimate partner violence (IPV) and their correlates, and describe women’s intentions for violence-related help-seeking, among venue-based exotic dancers in a high-risk urban environment. We conducted a cross-sectional study with new female exotic dancers (n = 117) in Baltimore, MD. Over one third (36%) reported intimate partner violence (IPV), and 16% reported client physical or sexual violence, in the six months prior to the survey. Both forms of violence were correlated with arrest, sex trade, substance use, and childhood abuse. Violence-related help-seeking intentions were highest for club management. Intentions to seek help from police and violence-related support hotlines were lowest among those with recent experiences of violence. Recent violence, particularly from intimate partners, was pervasive in this sample of female exotic dancers, and enabled by substance use, criminal history, and sex trade. Preferences for help within venues, rather than the justice sector and publicly funded support services, indicate the need for systems reform to meet the needs of this high-risk group of women.

In view of earlier research, female offenders have not received as much attention as male perpetrators. Thus, the research aimed to gain insight into the types of offences committed by serious violent female offenders (n = 206; those who had committed grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, or homicide) and to explore differences with control female perpetrators (n = 447); control offenders were matched according to age and year of offence of the serious violent offenders. The purpose was to, therefore, gather an understanding of female offenders and to determine if the serious violent perpetrators differed from the control sample. A UK police force provided data of offences committed between April 2001 and April 2011. Descriptive information was analysed, with comparisons being made using Mann–Whitney U tests and chi‐square analyses. About 72.3% (n = 149) of serious violent offenders had one or more recorded convictions and were significantly more likely to have committed a previous violent offence than the control sample. On the other hand, control perpetrators had a higher likelihood of having previously committed a theft‐related offence, when compared to serious violent females. Therefore, the findings indicate the types of offences committed by female offenders and highlight the differences between serious violent perpetrators and offenders in the control sample. The implications and limitations are discussed.

This chapter focuses on the factors associated with the women who returned to prison. It considers when they went back to prison, the offences they committed, their risk levels, their criminal history, age, drug use, length of their original sentence, finances, children, prison programmes, housing, substance use, mental health and support from parole. Women who had a diagnosis of mental health conditions, commonly anxiety and depression, those who were on medication for mental health issues and those who reported mental health issues when in prison returned to prison more often than women who showed no evidence of mental health issues. Women who said that the problems which led them to offending before release were also likely to be problems for them following release returned to prison at a rate of 62 per cent. Women who received parole returned to prison less often.

Previous research indicates that drug use is common among incarcerated populations. However, much less research attention has been focused on drug use among female inmates, especially while in prison. The goal of this research was to examine the prevalence and correlates of in-prison drug use among women prisoners. Data were drawn from a random sample of women incarcerated in four regions of Spain in 2014. Self-report assessments of alcohol and drug use were collected. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models were employed to examine relationships in the data. Overall, the results revealed a high prevalence of substance use while in prison. More than half of study participants (52%) reported using drugs in prison within the past 6 months, with alcohol (33.8%) and cannabis (28.2%) the most commonly reported drugs used. Logistic regression models indicated that age and prior drug use history were significantly associated with in-prison substance use. Notably, criminal history was not a significant predictor of in-prison substance use. Our findings suggest that substance use while in prison may represent a barrier to these women's rehabilitative goals. Study findings are discussed in terms of developing effective drug treatment programs for women prisoners in the Spanish Prison System.

We present the results of study of illegal actions predictors in individuals with mental disorders and discuss the specific features of female criminality. On a sample of 69 patients with a diagnosis of organic mental disorder and schizophrenia, with criminal histories, we applied clinical and psychological hermeneutic analysis, used questionnaires to determine the self-assessments of patients, self-control diagnosis, self-regulation style features, diagnosis of aggression and hostility, coping strategies, destructive attitudes in interpersonal relationships. It made possible to identify clinical, social and pathopsychological factors of aggressive behavior in forensic patients. These individual psychological characteristics of mentally ill women will improve the prognosis of their aggressive behavior, implement differentiated preventive measures in the hospital and to establish appropriate intervention programs.

Background Much of the research on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among sex offenders has been conducted in the USA or Europe. Less is known about it in other regions, particularly in Asia. Aims The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among sex offenders in Taiwan and their associations with offender characteristics and criminal history. Methods Participants were randomly selected from men serving sentences in Taiwan's prison for serious sex offenders. Consenting men were assessed using the structured clinical interviews for DSM-IV-TR Axis I and II disorders. Demographics and criminal history were also recorded. Results Over two-thirds of the 68 participants met criteria for one or more lifetime Axis I disorders, and nearly 60% met criteria for one or more Axis II disorder. The higher the number of Axis I and cluster B personality disorders, the higher was the total number of convictions. Conclusions Our study adds to the literature that suggests that psychiatric assessment is likely to have an important role in the management and treatment of sex offenders. The finding that multiple disorders are common in this group and associated with more convictions for sex offences suggests that failure to include psychiatric assessment in planning the management of sex offenders may increase the risk of recidivism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background Ego defences, often considered central to clinical work, have received surprisingly little attention in the forensic literature. Method In this exploratory study, 114 male inpatients completed the Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ) following their admission to a specialist personality disorder (PD) service. Change in DSQ scores over time was examined using mixed effects models for those (n = 48) remaining in treatment for at least 18 months. Results Defensive functioning at baseline was less mature in comparison with non-clinical norms, with two other non-forensic PD samples, and with a male paedophile sample, but was unrelated to criminal history. Axis II severity was negatively associated with overall defensive functioning (ODF). Antisocial PD was positively associated with a maladaptive defence style. Borderline PD was negatively associated with self-sacrificing defences. Avoidant PD was negatively associated with both self-sacrificing and adaptive styles. Non-completion of treatment was predicted by low ODF scores and high maladaptive defence style scores at baseline. ODF improved significantly over time in treatment and was predicted by strong antisocial and weak schizotypal PD pathologies. Conclusions Defence style, as measured by the DSQ, appears to have the potential to inform assessment and measure change in this group of offenders. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Moderate correlations among gambling, substance use and crime suggest these three behaviours may each be indicators of a single underlying problem trait, such as poor impulse control. We tested whether self-reported traits prospectively predicted future criminal recidivism, when accounting for incarcerated adult offenders' past criminal behaviour, substance use and gambling behaviour. We took a multi-construct approach to measuring components of impulse control, utilizing three questionnaires that assess sensation seeking, poor premeditation, and reward sensitivity. Male participants incarcerated in two federal institutions were invited to complete self-report booklets; participation was self-selected and fully voluntary. Results indicated moderate correlations between measures of trait impulse control, self-reported drug use, and official criminal history (N = 140). Gambling problems prospectively predicted post-release criminal recidivism (n = 83), even when accounting for past criminal behaviour, impul...

Stigma involves negative beliefs and devaluations of people in socially identified groups, which some people internalize. Research has increasingly explored mental illness self-stigma, when people with mental illness believe society's negative beliefs are true of them (e.g., they are hopeless due to mental illness). Self-stigma predicts poorer functional and treatment outcomes. Forensic psychiatric patients experience multiple stigmas, yet no research has explored how stigmas due to mental illness, race, and criminal history influence each other. This review discusses relevant stigma research, which suggests that self-stigma in forensic psychiatric populations likely interferes with rehabilitation and avoiding re-arrest. Forensic psychiatric stigma is particularly relevant given increasing social attention on violence, incarceration, mental illness, and race. Conclusions discuss targets for future research.

Many with schizophrenia tend to experience problems with the legal system. Yet little is still known about the correlates of the history of incarceration, as well as frequency of misdemeanor and felony convictions within community samples. To explore this question, we gathered legal and substance abuse histories, and assessments of symptoms and neurocognitive function from 96 adults in a nonacute phase of schizophrenia. ANOVA revealed history of incarceration to be linked with more severe drug and alcohol abuse histories, and greater positive symptoms. Greater numbers of misdemeanor convictions were linked to more severe drug and alcohol abuse histories and greater levels of disorganized symptoms, whereas a greater number of felony convictions was only associated with more severe drug abuse histories. A stepwise multiple regression revealed that both the severity of severe drug abuse histories and levels of disorganized symptoms contributed to predicting 24% of the variance in the number of reported lifet...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether certain key outcomes differ between preRN licensure students who have a criminal history and those who do not. Outcomes examined were program completion, NCLEX-RN® passage, subsequent criminal acts, and subsequent professional misconduct. A retrospective descriptive-comparative research design was used. The sample consisted of 3,166 applicants from the 2006 cohort of preRN licensure students in Louisiana who met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Analysis of the data revealed 10% of participants with a criminal history had a subsequent criminal incident, whereas only 3.4% of the noncriminal history group had a subsequent criminal incident. Additionally, 4.5% of the criminal history group had subsequent professional misconduct compared with 1% of the noncriminal history group.

Forensic evaluation differs from clinical evaluation in several aspects, most importantly that it has legal goals to serve other parties not the health care needs of the individual. However, violence prediction is a difficult task always expected from a psychiatrist whether during forensic or as usual clinical evaluation. Assessing danger and prediction of future violence aim at prevention of such behaviour. Risk factors for violence in people with mental disorder might be different from other groups. Established risk factors for violence in people with psychosis are criminal history, comorbid substance misuse, active psychotic symptoms, non compliance with medication and comorbid personality disorder, particularly antisocial personality disorder.

Aggression on forensic wards occurs commonly, as 82 % of staff and 46 % of patients report having been targets of aggression (Pulsford et al. 2013). This high incidence of violence, the constant threat of violence and the knowledge of a patient’s criminal history affect nursing staff. Nurses therefore have to deal with fear on a daily basis; it affects nursing care, as nurses have to deal with both fear and situations in which they must maintain control. In such situations, seclusion and restraint serve as a means to control threatening and dangerous situations.

At the end of 2010, prisons in the United States incarcerated over 1,605,127 inmates, yielding an imprisonment rate of 497 per 100,000 residents (Guerino, Harrison, & Sabol, 2011). Approximately 15.6% of correctional officers have been the victim of an inmate assault (Duhart, 2001) and 21% of inmates reported being victims of violence in prison (Wolff, Blitz, Shi, Siegel, & Bachman, 2007). However, which inmates are more likely to perpetuate these violent acts while incarcerated? The present paper critically reviews the empirical literature on the relation between individual characteristics of inmates and prison violence. Variables are divided into three general categories: demographic, criminal history, and psychological variables. From over 500 studies, a representative sample of 20 studies from 1990 to 2011 was reviewed based on specified inclusion criteria, such as adult males incarcerated in English-speaking countries. Although there are some discrepant findings, a general conclusion can be reached regarding most variables. These characteristics are compiled into a prototype of an inmate at “high” risk and an inmate at “low” risk for prison violence. Methodological limitations of the research are presented, as well as suggestions for future research directions.

The long-term outcome for middle-class offenders after conviction is an under-researched area in criminology. This present study considers 317 offenders—with a follow-up of at least 35 years—who are seeking white-collar employment after conviction. On the basis of their previous criminal history, five clusters of offenders can be identified using latent class analysis (LCA): low-rate whitecollar, low-rate general, medium-rate acquisitive specialists, medium/high-rate generalists and high-rate generalists. Of the total series, 40 per cent were reconvicted of any standard-list offence, 24 per cent were reconvicted of a white-collar offence and 8 per cent were reconvicted of a sex or violence offence. The study helps to support the notion that middle-class persons are very much part of ‘the crime problem’.

The Journal of the Faculty of Medicine of Universidad Nacional de Colombia has undergone important changes in the past years; the amount of articles submitted for initiating the editorial process has increased, in the same manner as the amount of articles received in English language, and the rejection rate, which is now around 40%. The number of international authors has also grown, thus demonstrating that the publication has achieved greater visibility and recognition.In this context, the following articles have been selected for the first issue of Volume 69 of the Journal of the Faculty of Medicine:“Is parricide a stable phenomenon? An analysis of parricide offenders in a forensic hospital” (1) is a study written by an important group of Brazilian authors, who demonstrate their expertise in one of the crimes that causes most social upheaval due to its broad implications. Parricide immediately attracts attention as it is easily linked to the presence of a mental disorder, which is actually corroborated by this study, since it shows that most parricides are young adult males, who have a low level of education, are single, with no criminal history and schizophrenic; in addition, few cases show antisocial personality disorders. The Journal of the Faculty of Medicine of Universidad Nacional de Colombia has undergone important changes in the past years; the amount of articles submitted for initiating the editorial process has increased, in the same manner as the amount of articles received in English language, and the rejection rate, which is now around 40%. The number of international authors has also grown, thus demonstrating that the publication has achieved greater visibility and recognition.In this context, the following articles have been selected for the first issue of Volume 69 of the Journal of the Faculty of Medicine:“Is parricide a stable phenomenon? An analysis of parricide offenders in a forensic hospital” (1) is a study written by an important group of Brazilian authors, who demonstrate their expertise in one of the crimes that causes most social upheaval due to its broad implications. Parricide immediately attracts attention as it is easily linked to the presence of a mental disorder, which is actually corroborated by this study, since it shows that most parricides are young adult males, who have a low level of education, are single, with no criminal history and schizophrenic; in addition, few cases show antisocial personality disorders.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has adopted Correctional Offender Management and Profiling Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS), an actuarial risk- and needs-assessment instrument, as part of its reentry supervision and parole planning procedure. A large-scale 3-year prospective study was conducted to assess the instrument with regard to how well it predicted whether a parolee would be rearrested for (a) any crime and (b) a violent offense. This study followed, for up to 2 years, a total of 91,334 parolees who had been assessed with COMPAS prior to reentry into the community. The instrument achieved an acceptable level of predictive validity in general rearrests with an area under the curve value of 0.70, but its predictive power for subsequent violent offenses fell short of this conventional threshold. Moreover, a parsimonious model using four known risk factors from existing official records (i.e., gender, age, age of first arrest, and the number of prior arrests) performed just as well in predicting subsequent arrests. Findings from this study illustrate the challenges in applying group-based attributes to predict individual criminal behavior and suggest that, although COMPAS has other attractive features such as case management capability, existing official records may offer a lower cost alternative for assessing the risk of reoffending for community reentry purposes.