Citation

Wallace C, Mullen P, Burgess P, Palmer S, Ruschena D, Browne C. Br. J. Psychiatry 1998; 172: 477-484.

Affiliation

Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Department of Psychological Medicine, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9828986

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A relationship exists between mental disorder and offending behaviours but the nature and extent of the association remains in doubt. METHOD: Those convicted in the higher courts of Victoria between 1993 and 1995 had their psychiatric history explored by case linkage to a register listing virtually all contacts with the public psychiatric services. RESULTS: Prior psychiatric contact was found in 25% of offenders, but the personality disorder and substance misuse accounted for much of this relationship. Schizophrenia and affective disorders were also over-represented, particularly those with coexisting substance misuse. CONCLUSIONS: The increased offending in schizophrenia and affective illness is modest and may often be mediated by coexisting substance misuse. The risk of a serious crime being committed by someone with a major mental illness is small and does not justify subjecting them, as a group, to either increased institutional containment or greater coercion.

Language: en