NCJ Number
104998
Date Published
1985
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This survey examined recidivism rates for 589 male psychiatric offenders detained at the Netherlands government's 'pleasure' (TRB), rather than sentenced to a prison term.
Abstract
The sample consisted of psychiatric offenders released between July 1974 and June 1979, excluding females and aliens. Also surveyed were 373 long-term prisoners who had been sentenced to no less than 2.5 years of imprisonment and released during the same period. Most psychiatric offenders were placed under TRB for a violent crime or a property-related or sexual offense involving violence. The median duration of inpatient treatment was 40 months, and the median total length of treatment was 50 months. Offenders were followed for at least 3 years and no more than 8 years. Survey data showed that 51 percent were reconvicted of an offense, and that 13 percent were reconvicted for a crime involving violence. The study also found that it was not unusual for institutionalized psychiatric offenders to go absent without leave. No significant differences in recidivism were found between the psychiatric offenders and the long-term prisoners. Difficulties in proving the effects of treatment programs are discussed. Tables and 4 references.