Characteristics of 112 cases discharged directly to the community from a new special hospital and some comparisons of performance

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Abstract
The literature on follow-up studies from the English Special Hospitals was examined and data from one study were subjected to additional analysis which showed that discharge to the community via transfer to intermediate levels of security resulted in a very significant reduction in reconviction rate compared to the direct discharge groups. Additionally, the same study showed that the conditional discharge of patients resulted in a lower reconviction rate than was found in those who were absolutely discharged. The general, criminological and psychiatric characteristics of 112 cases discharged directly to the community from Park Lane Special Hospital, are described and compared with a current Park Lane admission cohort and a previous Broadmoor admission cohort. The Park Lane discharge population was found to be atypical in composition because it reflected a ‘once-only' group of transfers from Broadmoor. Outcome data in terms of reconviction are presented which are very similar to those from a comparable Broadmoor group. Almost all of the comparisons between these groups suggest that the Park Lane patients should have reoffended more than the Broadmoor group. Comparisons of reconvictions of the Park Lane cases with Tennent and Way's (1984) composite follow-up study of Broadmoor, Rampton and Moss Side hospitals showed that, for comparable offences, Park Lane reconviction rates were very much lower than those for the other hospitals. It is likely that the very favourable conditions in the new hospital were responsible for this improved performance. It is suggested that prospective research should be designed to investigate the effects of the rebuild programmes which are in prospect or under way at Broadmoor, Rampton, Ashworth South (formerly Moss Side) and Carstairs maximum secure hospitals.

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