NCJ Number
54583
Journal
British Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 118 Issue: 546 Dated: (MAY 1971) Pages: 561-570
Date Published
1971
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A STUDY OF THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT RESPONSES OF 55 OFFENDERS ASSIGNED TO PSYCHIATRIC THERAPY AS A CONDITION OF PROBATION BY SCOTTISH COURTS IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
THE STUDY SUBJECTS INCLUDED 43 MALES AND 12 FEMALES, 5.3 PERCENT OF THE 1,038 PROBATIONERS ASSIGNED TO PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT BY SCOTTISH COURTS OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD. THE SUBJECTS, MOST OF WHOM WERE YOUNG AND UNMARRIED, REPRESENTED A VARIETY OF PSYCHIATRIC AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS, AND THEIR CURRENT OFFENSES RANGED FROM ATTEMPTED MURDER TO BREACH OF THE PEACE. PERSONALITY DISORDER (PSYCHOPATHY OR IMMATURITY) WAS THE MOST COMMON DIAGNOSIS AND OUTPATIENT THERAPY THE MOST COMMON TREATMENT MODALITY. MANY PROBATIONERS ASSIGNED TO OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WERE UNRELIABLE ABOUT KEEPING APPOINTMENTS. AT THE END OF 1 YEAR, NONE OF THE PROBATIONERS WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE HOSPITAL, AND LITTLE OR NO MEDICAL INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE ON THOSE WHO HAD NOT PERSISTED IN TREATMENT. SIXTEEN HAD BEEN JUDGED BY THEIR PROBATION OFFICER TO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED PROBATION, INCLUDING FOUR WHO HAD BEEN DEEMED UNSUITABLE PATIENTS. THE GENERAL LACK OF SUCCESS IN PROVIDING PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT TO THE PROBATIONERS IS ATTRIBUTED IN LARGE PART TO THE LIMITED OPPORTUNITY FOR PSYCHIATRISTS TO ASSESS OFFENDERS BEFORE PROBATION ORDERS ARE MADE. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE HOSPITAL'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH PROBATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES, AND GENERALLY POOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOSPITAL STAFF AND PROBATION OFFICERS. ONE CONSEQUENCE OF THESE PROBLEMS WAS THAT IN SOME CASES INPATIENT PROBATIONERS WERE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL WITH NO NOTIFICATION OF THEIR PROBATION OFFICERS. SUGGESTIONS FOR REMEDYING THESE PROBLEMS ARE OFFERED. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)