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Background: In the UK, little is known about the experience of ex-prisoners with intellectual disabilities., Method: A qualitative study was therefore conducted to investigate what life is like for ten men with intellectual disabilities who left prison at least 9 months previously. Semi-structured interviews were employed to explore the men's views of post-prison life, including opportunities/challenges and support received from services., Results: Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, four over-arching themes were constructed: the nature of support and services, the difficulty of staying out of trouble, the importance of family and the need to act the "tough guy". The participants reported being extremely under-supported. They were often hostile about staff who they felt were too focused on their previous crime., Conclusions: In general, men were very under-supported and the upheavals of post-prison lives appeared to be "normalized" by them. Better understanding of their lives within their social context would benefit their community re-entry., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: While several validated measures of the life circumstances of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) have been developed, this stream of research has not yet been well integrated with environmentally oriented criminological theory to explain offending among people with ID. In this study, we attempt to provide a preliminary integration through an investigation of the relationship between contemporary life experiences, well-being, choice and offending among people with ID, exploring the relevance of two classic criminological theories (theories of strain and social control)., Materials and Methods: Questionnaire measures were used to compare a range of 'ordinary' life experiences [the 'Life Experiences Checklist' (LEC)], subjective well-being (the 'Personal Well-being Index - ID') and the extent of choice (the 'Choice Questionnaire'), between offenders (N = 27) and non-offenders (N = 19) with ID recruited through integrated (NHS and Local Authority) multi-disciplinary teams (community teams for adults with learning disabilities)., Results: Using regression analyses to explore the strength of associations with offending, it was found that an indicator of impoverished personal relationships, from the LEC provided the best predictor of offending. This finding appears to favour criminological explanations based on social control., Conclusions: Existing measures of life circumstances can be used to explore environmentally oriented criminological theories, bringing benefits to our understanding and treatment of offenders with ID living in community settings., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Personality disorder is highly prevalent in offender populations and is associated with poor health, criminal justice, and social outcomes. Research has been conducted into factors that influence offending and health, but, in order to improve (re)habilitation, service providers must also be able to identify the variables associated with social outcomes and the mechanisms by which they operate.Aim: To establish what is known about what influences social outcomes among offenders with personality disorder.Method: A systematic review was completed using Cochrane methods, expanded to include nonrandomised trials. Anticipated high heterogeneity informed a narrative synthesis.Results: Three studies met inclusion criteria. Two were qualitative studies including only 13 cases between them. All studies were low quality.Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to determine what influences good social outcomes among offenders with personality disorder. Research is required to identify associated variables, to inform the development of effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: Domestic violence abuse is when people hurt family members or partners with their words or actions, take their money or try to control them. It is against the law to do this. We wanted to know more about how many people with intellectual disabilities are being violent in their relationships. Forensic Community Learning Disabilities Team (CLDT) noticed more people were being referred to the team because they had been violent in their relationships. The Forensic CLDT looked at their referrals to see how many people were violent in their relationships. They also looked at referrals for their local Community Learning Disabilities Teams to see how many people were violent in their relationships. The research showed that more people who were referred to the Forensic CLDT needed help for violence in their relationships in 2015. The CLDTs also had referrals for people who were violent in their relationships. It is important to understand more about people with intellectual disabilities who are abusive in their relationships so we can help them. Abstract: Background: Domestic violence abuse (DVA) has been identified by the UK Government as a priority to address. Whilst there is a growing body of research into perpetrators of DVA from the mainstream population, there is scant research into perpetrators of DVA who have an intellectual disability. This lack of an evidence base suggests there may be a group of individuals for whom there is no suitable treatment approach. A Forensic Community Learning Disabilities Team (FCLDT) completed a multiservice evaluation of their service and sector CLDTs to obtain a measure of local unmet need. Materials and methods: A retrospective review was completed for referrals to the FCLDT and four of their sector CLDTs for 2014 and 2015. A record sheet was designed for the process of data collection and the analysis of referrals. Results: In regard to the FCLDT, 14% of the total referrals made to the FCLDT in 2014 referenced DVA perpetration and the figure rose to 26% in 2015. For CLDTs, 1.9% of the total referrals made to the CLDT in 2014 and 3.18% in 2015 referenced DVA perpetration. Conclusions: A significant proportion of referrals to the Forensic CLDT relate to the perpetration of domestic violence abuse. A proportion of Sector CLDT referrals made reference to behaviours that, according to the Home Office definition, would be classified as domestic violence abuse, but was infrequently referred to as such. The paper considers these findings in the light of the Home Office definition and its application to people with intellectual disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an A-B-A-B-A single-case research study of 3 incarcerated offenders with mental illness, repeated exposure to the pilot Adult Recidivism Reduction Alternatives (ARRAY) group counseling intervention was an effective or very effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and associated somatic symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical trials and meta-analyses provide some evidence for effectiveness of forgiveness therapy delivered individually or in groups. To date, however, forgiveness therapy has not been evaluated with mentally disordered offenders. Given the high prevalence of experienced and perpetrated trauma among such people, this population may particularly benefit from such an intervention.Aim: The aim of this study is to test the feasibility and impact of a 'learn to forgive' group programme among mentally disordered offenders on a specialist secure hospital setting.Methods: We conducted a non-randomised trial with 36 offenders with mental disorders and 29 comparison patients. The intervention group engaged in a six-week manual-based 'learn to forgive' treatment programme, while the comparison group watched a 90-minute video on forgiveness. Both groups completed measures of anger, depression, stress, forgiveness and satisfaction with life at baseline and then 6 and 18 weeks later. A repeated measures mixed-effects model was used to investigate the association between affective outcomes and type of intervention received, after adjusting for baseline characteristics.Results: The group completion rate was over 90%. The treatment and comparison groups were similar on baseline demographic and criminological measures, but the treatment group had higher baseline anger and depression scores. While both groups showed improved capacity to forgive and reduced negative affect over time, those in the 'learn to forgive' programme showed significantly more improvement in forgiveness and on anger measures.Conclusions and Implications For Practice: Forgiveness training can be delivered effectively to offenders with mental disorders in clinical settings. Its range of benefits, including reduction I in anger as well as improved capacity to forgive, suggest that it may have longer term implications for personal safety and reintegration into mainstream societal settings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health courts are a promising new approach to addressing the overrepresentation of mental health needs among offender populations, yet little is known about how they facilitate change, particularly for youth. The current study reports on a process evaluation of a youth mental health court in Toronto, Canada. Drawing upon observations of the court and interviews with key informants, we developed a program model of the court and explored its implementation within the context of empirical evidence for treating justice-involved youth. Findings revealed that the proposed mechanism of change, which focuses on reducing recidivism through the treatment of mental health needs, should also consider factors directly related to offending behavior. Findings further highlight several strengths of the program, including the program's supportive environment and ability to engage and link youth and families with treatment. Areas for continued growth include the need for comprehensive protections of legal rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The involvement of mentally disordered offenders (MDOs) in the criminal justice system (CJS) is currently a major public health concern. This has culminated in several empirical researches over the years, with a particular focus on addressing the problem. The present study examines the criminal and the mental health legislations available to offenders raising fitness to stand trial issues, as well as those pleading insanity at the time of the offense (insanity defense) in Ghana. The legislations are examined within a framework of reducing the overrepresentation of MDOs in the CJS. In doing so, comparisons are made to similar legislations in other commonwealth jurisdictions, when necessary. Regarding fitness to stand trial, it is evident that the Ghanaian legislation does not contain discrete fitness indicators, relative to, for instance, Canada. Yet, it is interesting that the terminologies 'unsound mind' and 'incapable of making a defence' used in the proviso convey similar meaning and requirements to those used in other jurisdictions. The insanity defense standard, on the other hand, is also heavily influenced by the M'Naughton Rules in England. The defense consists of two separate cognitive tests, each of which can result in an acquittal. One of the tests strictly emphasizes knowledge of the nature and consequences of the act while knowledge of the wrongness of the criminal act is implied in the other. However, none of the tests takes into consideration uncontrollable impulse arising from mental disorder. The study proposes some revisions and amendments to the insanity legislation in its current formulation. Recommendations are also offered for critical areas that warrant research attention in relation to MDOs in Ghana, and in Africa as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellectually Disabled (ID) offenders are perhaps one of the most forgotten groups in the prison system. Even though key research by the Prison Reform Trust has done much to highlight the size of this population and raise awareness about what should be done to meet their needs, change is slow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effectiveness of offending behaviour programs in forensic mental health settings is not well established. Thus this study aimed to evaluate the Reasoning and Rehabilitation Mental Health program (R&R2 MHP) among a mentally disordered offender (MDO) population. Methods: A sample of 121 adult males drawn from 10 forensic mental health sites completed questionnaires at baseline and post-treatment to assess violent attitudes, locus of control, social problem-solving and anger. An informant measure of social and psychological functioning, including disruptive behaviour, was completed by unit staff at the same time. At three month follow-up patients completed again the violent attitudes and locus of control questionnaires. The data of 67 patients who participated in the group condition were compared with 54 waiting-list controls who received treatment as usual. Results: 78% of group participants completed the program. In contrast to controls, significant treatment effects were found at outcome on self-reported measures of violent attitudes, rational problem-solving and anger cognitions. Improvements were endorsed by informant ratings of social and psychological functioning within the establishments. At follow-up significant treatment effects were found for both violent attitudes and locus of control. Conclusions: R&R2 MHP was effective in a sample of MDOs and had a comparatively low drop-out rate. Future research should use a randomized controlled design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evidence has emerged of a higher risk of serious violence in first-episode psychosis. This study compared the characteristics of two groups of persons with psychosis found not guilty of violent offenses on the grounds of mental illness (NGMI): those who had not yet been treated and those who had previously received treatment. Methods: Demographic, clinical, and offense data were taken from psychiatric reports and court documents for persons found NGMI of homicide, attempted homicide, and assaults causing serious injury in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Results: Between 1992 and 2008, 272 persons were found NGMI of homicide (N=138) or attempted homicide and assault resulting in serious injury (N=134). Schizophrenia-related psychosis was the most common diagnosis (N=234, 86%); 93 (34%) had a co-occuring substance use disorder. Of the 272 offenders, 124 (46%) were classified as being in their first episode of psychosis, including 72 (52%) of the homicide offenders and 52 (39%) of those who committed a nonlethal violent offense. Multiple logistic regression analysis found that compared with those who had received previous treatment for psychosis, the first episode patients were younger, more likely to be from a non-English speaking country, and more likely to have used a firearm in the offense. Conclusions: The first episode of psychosis is a period of particular risk for homicide and serious violence. Younger age, language and cultural barriers to care, and greater availability of lethal means appear to contribute to an increased risk of homicide and of other serious violent offenses in first-episode psychosis. (Psychiatric Services 62:759-764, 2011) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a proposal which prohibit felons from possessing firearms in Vermont. It provides an overview of the federal firearms law and the development and rationale behind the different categories of people prohibited from gun ownership. It examines the different approaches of different state in prohibiting felons from firearm possession. It talks about the legal culture in the state and proposes a statute that restricts gun ownership for felons. It adds that the proposed statute bans most felons and those convicted of domestic crimes, as well as people with a history of mental illness, from owning firearms for a period of time after their conviction or after their illness has subsided.

Abstract: Substance abuse is common among offenders. One method widely used for the detection of substance abuse is screening. This study explored the concurrent validity of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) screening tools in relation to (a) substance abuse and dependency diagnoses and (b) three problem severity domains of the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index in a sample of 181 suspected offenders with signs of mental health problems. The screening tools showed moderate to high accuracy for identification of dependency diagnoses. The AUDIT was associated with alcohol problem severity, whereas the DUDIT was associated with drug and legal problem severity. Administering the screening tools in the current population yields valid results. However, the suggested cutoff scores should be applied with caution due to the discrepancy between present and previous findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examines a series of interactions between a prior history of suicidal behavior and cognitions permissive of suicide, and the variables of depression and hopelessness in the relationship with suicidal ideation in two samples of incarcerated offenders. Results indicate that both a prior history of suicidal behavior and cognitions permissive of suicide interact with depression and hopelessness in a multiple regression equation with the outcome of suicidal ideation. A second study confirms and extends the initial findings. Taken together, the interactions in these studies account for four and 19% of additional variance in the relationship with suicidal ideation. The results indicate that certain suicide-related variables are multiplicative in their relationship. The discussion considers the variables within an empirically derived multidimensional framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability has a well-respected history of establishing the parameters and contributing to developments in the field of offenders with intellectual disability (ID). Method The field has seen a number of developments over the past 15 years, and this paper identifies several trends that have emerged in the research during this period, including work on prevalence of ID in prison populations, development of risk assessment, consideration of staff issues, developing the psychometrics of offence-specific assessments, evaluating treatment methods, and testing the underlying theoretical frameworks which attempt to account for offending. Results and Conclusions We refer to a number of studies which have advanced these developments in the field and draw the reader's attention to the way in which papers in this special issue contribute to and further develop each of these research trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Little research has been carried out on empathy and theory of mind in offenders with intellectual disability (ID) and these concepts are often poorly defined. Method Various models of empathy and theory of mind are discussed and scores on 2 empathy and 3 theory of mind tasks are compared for 25 offenders with ID and 25 non-offenders with ID (all male). Results Differences were found in empathy and theory of mind performance of offenders and non-offenders with ID. Offenders performed better than non-offenders on a second order theory of mind task and on emotion recognition. They required fewer prompts to mention emotions, and gave empathic/caring responses more often than non-offenders when observing happiness (but not sadness or anger). Conclusions Results suggest that offenders with ID may have better, rather than poorer, empathy and theory of mind abilities than non-offenders, and that empathy training is therefore not indicated for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of an appropriate adult (AA) is to facilitate communication, to ensure an understanding of legal rights, and to provide support for an individual with a mental disorder at police interview. Such schemes differ significantly throughout the UK in terms of legal basis, requirements to be an AA, and client group. This study provides the first description of AA schemes in Scotland, and makes recommendations relevant to Scotland and wider jurisdictions. By 2002 all of Scotland had access to the services of appropriate adults via 16 schemes. This study identified problems with lack of record-keeping, performance indicators, standardized procedures, and management structures, and also with under-utilization and knowledge gaps in AAs and related professions. Police interviews have been ruled inadmissible because of lack of an AA, and also failure of an AA to explain legal rights. Recommendations are made: to create standardized reporting and training systems under the control of an umbrella organization; to develop the role of AAs through a mandatory professional background related to mental health and specific training in relevant legal matters; to develop a more realistic definition of mental disorder requiring the services of an AA with established procedures to assist police officers in their identification; to place the AA schemes in Scotland on a statutory basis; and to establish a framework for AAs to fulfil their role within a court setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the creation of a jail diversion program for offenders diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder. It explores the factors that led to the explosion of jail diversion programs, which reflects the ease of diverting mental health clients from the criminal justice system. It details the characteristics, progress and outcomes of clients who entered a program in which all services are delivered in-house rather than through a traditional brokerage system.

The article discusses the study conducted by Australian Institute of Criminology regarding the increased number of homicide in Australia which is caused by mentally disordered offenders. It provides some evidence dispelling the myth that mentally disordered offenders prey on innocent and unsuspecting strangers in public places. It also notes that the characteristics of homicides committed by mentally disordered offenders did not differ significantly from the characteristics of homicides committed by other offenders.

The article focuses on the influence of religiosity on public opinion concerning government agencies' responsibility in handling mentally retarded felons. Legal responsibility for mentally retarded felons were assessed according to the degree of retardation and type of crime. Based on a study, respondents opinions were affected by the chronological age of the mentally retarded felons.

The relative effectiveness of two treatment paradigms was examined in terms of their efficacy in reducing the aggressive behavior of MR adolescent offenders in a community-based residential setting. Treatment I consisted of a basic point-based token economy, implemented in a traditional group home. In Treatment II that point economy was tightened, programmatic timeout was instituted, and the residential environment was engineered to permit consistent treatment application. Over a three-month period, Treatment II was significantly more effective in reducing both physical and verbal aggression in this population. Problems inherent in treating these young offenders in a community residence are identified, and recommendations are offered for program planners and for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers insights into the supervision of potentially dangerous offender patients. The author notes that supervision needs a high degree of surveillance, an acknowledgement of the importance of accountability to the public and central government and of good relationship practices with close professional colleagues. The types of patients consist of those who have committed serious offenses of violence against the person and against property and who have the potential to do so again. He adds that it is important to overcome a reluctance to ask uncomfortable questions and to be aware of one of the difficult area of psychiatric practice.

One unknown factor in the link between crime and mental illness is whether or not mentally ill offenders are more liable than others to arrest. Ninety-one mentally ill, and 76 normal, criminally offending men were asked about the circumstances of their offence and arrest. A majority of mentally ill men had been arrested at the scene of the crime, and more than a quarter of the schizophrenic group had reported themselves to the police. We argue that when many offenders are either unreported or undetected, the increased vulnerability of the mentally ill to detection and arrest makes them disproportionately liable to detection. Attempting to assess the relationship between crime and mental illness is thus extremely difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates incidences and provisions of mentally abnormal offender in the English penal system. Most of the available publications account for only an atypical minority of the detected offenders whose mental abnormality is recognized and taken into account. There are cases in which a private citizen who would otherwise have reported the offender to the police refrains from doing so because he believes him to be abnormal. The article also reflects several instances when the police themselves decide to take no official notice of an incident, deal with it by a warning, or surpass the prosecuting process in cases of abnormal convicts. Certain insane offenders who are brought to trial are now dealt with after being found guilty, by "disposal procedures" which do not oblige the court to pronounce on the offenders' responsibility for their offences. Offenders who are sentenced to imprisonment may sometimes require psychiatric treatment, and are transferred to psychiatric prisons. The recount underlines other such methods of dealing with mentally abnormal offenders.

The article deals with the suggested changes in the laws and procedures in New York City relating to the criminally insane and mentally defective offenders. A psychiatric examination should be required for offenders: (a) indicted for murder; (b) indicted for a felony who have previously been indicted or convicted of felonies; (c) indicted for forcible rape or forcible crimes against nature; and (d) offenders against whom an information has been filed, or who have been indicted for impairing or endangering the morals of a minor, carnal abuse of a child, or indecent exposure, who have once before been charged with similar crimes. A routine mental examination after conviction, even where defendants are neither psychotic nor mentally defective, has the further advantage that it produces considerable data about the personality of a defendant, which is of great value to a judge in the determination of sentence. At the present time the law provides that a Court or Magistrate may commit a defendant charged with crime for psychiatric examination to a public hospital when he is in such a state of idiocy, imbecility or insanity that he is incapable of understanding the charge or of making his defense.

Objective: This study compared crime victimization rates with rates of criminal offending among adults with serious mental illness. Methods: Statistical estimation determined caseload overlap between anonymous extracts from public mental health and criminal justice databases for 13 rural Vermont counties. Participants included 2,610 adults who received community-based services during the study year (July 2005 through June 2006). Results: Among the 2,610 adults 6.6% were identified by police as criminal offenders and 7.1% were identified as crime victims. Compared with the general population, however, their elevated risk of being identified as a victim (2.4) was lower than their elevated risk of being identified as an offender (2.6). These categories are not mutually exclusive. Conclusions: To better understand involvement in the criminal justice system among adults with serious mental illness, research should consider rates of criminal offending and victimization and compare these with rates for the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aims to assess the capability of the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) in discriminating individuals with criminal offenses in the U.S. The study administered the EPI to 165 male public offenders to determine its use in discriminating various types of criminal offences. The results of the study showed that the EPI was considered as ineffective in creating differentiations. The findings also suggest a negative use to the theory of Eysenck and measurement of criminality.