The Dangerousness of Patients Released from Maximum Security: A Replication

Abstract

Two hundred six male discharges from a maximum security psychiatric institution were followed up for a 37–49 month period. Failures were defined as men with new convictions or a readmission to the security hospital. Forty-six percent of the sample failed, usually by the commission of minor property offenses, and 17% of the total committed at least one violent offense against persons. As in earlier studies of patients discharged from this hospital, younger, personality disordered patients were more likely to fail. Younger, personality disordered patients were also more likely to commit a violent offense than older, nonpersonality disordered patients.