Interpersonal Violence in Forensic Facilities (From Assaults Within Psychiatric Facilities, P 47-59, 1983, John R Lyon and William H Reid, eds. - See NCJ-100728)

• NCJ Number: 100791
• Author(s): P E Dietz; R T Rada
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 0 pages
• Sale Source: Grune and Stratton, Inc.
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This paper highlights the findings and implications of 1978-83 studies of interpersonal violence in at least five forensic facilities.

Abstract

The studies reviewed are Quinsey and Varney's study of a unit at Penetanguishene in Ontario, Thornberry and Jacoby's study of Fairview State Hospital, Rogers and colleagues' study of a unit at Chester Mental Health Center in Illinois, Stokman and Heiber's study of New York's Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center, and the authors' own study of a maximum security hospital. The studies do not indicate whether violence rates and resulting injury differ between forensic facilities and other psychiatric institutions, largely due to inconsistencies among studies in the selection of analysis units and definitions of assaultive acts. Findings on interpersonal violence among patients and correctional officers relate to timing, location, characteristics of involved patients, and the process of interpersonal violence. The paper's suggestions for reducing the injury rate and severity for interpersonal violence in forensic facilities relate to changes in environmental design, institutional policy, and techniques for subduing patients' unacceptable behavior. 16 references.