Individual characteristics predisposing patients to aggression in a forensic psychiatric hospital

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 729-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Daffern ◽  
Kevin Howells ◽  
James Ogloff ◽  
Joseph Lee
2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Lussier ◽  
Simon Verdun-Jones ◽  
Nadine Deslauriers-Varin ◽  
Tonia Nicholls ◽  
Johann Brink

This study examines the prevalence and the individual characteristics of chronically violent patients (CVPs) in a psychiatric hospital during inpatient treatment. The study is based on a 1-year follow-up investigation of all violent episodes committed by a sample of 527 patients in a forensic psychiatric hospital in British Columbia, Canada. Sociodemographic, legal and criminological, historical, and clinical factors were analyzed using a risk assessment scheme. Approximately 10% of the sample was responsible for more than 60% for all violent episodes recorded during the study period. Those CVPs were characterized by historical, but mostly clinical, risk factors. Moderate to good predictive accuracy was achieved when defining CVPs as individuals who perpetrated 15 or more violent episodes. Important limitations of the actuarial approach were also highlighted by the presence of two qualitatively different groups of CVPs. The results are discussed in light of the scientific literature on the risk management of inpatient violence.


Author(s):  
N. Zoe Hilton ◽  
Elke Ham ◽  
Stephanie Hill ◽  
Talia Emmanuel ◽  
Barna Konkolÿ Thege

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S464-S464
Author(s):  
L. Pishchikova

The vulnerability of patients of late age in psychiatry increases the professional and ethical requirements to the quality of psychiatric and forensic psychiatric help. It must account for the clinical and dynamic features of mental disorders in old age, biopsychosocial determinants of their formation, be based on a conceptual approach and a comprehensive understanding of the involution processes. To identify biopsychosocial determinants of mental disorders in old age and (or) involving patients to the forensic psychiatric examination, we examined 235 late age patients in criminal and civil cases. Revealed: «non-dement» mental disorders – with 45.5%, psychosis – with 7.7%, dementia – with 46,8%. The results of biopsychosocial determinants of involution are determined as follows: biological: sensory and motor deprivation, multicomorbid somatic neurological pathology, specific syndromes and disorders if late age, dementia; socio-psychological: termination of labor activity, living alone and loneliness, problematic relationship with children because of housing disputes and alcohol; legal: conclusion and contestation of legal civil acts, participation in criminal proceedings as victims and defendants, legal illiteracy, legal controversy, lack of legal protection; victimological: physical (assault, abuse), psychological (threats of commitment into social security institutions, involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital and examination by a psychiatrist, hold in the psychiatric hospital), financial violence (fraud with housing for older people and deception, manipulation during conclusion of civil-legal acts), violation of rights of older person (unlawful deprivation of legal capacity).Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S61-S61
Author(s):  
H. Dressing ◽  
H.J. Salize

Although the idea that offenders suffering from a mental disorder must primarily be considered as ill and should therefore be exempted from punishment is of considerable antiquity legal frameworks and key concepts, which are applied in this field, differ widely in European Union member States. The respective legal regulations and epidemiological data of Germany will be presented.In German penal law the question of the guilt of an offender is of central significance. Legal regulations on the placement and treatment of mentally ill offenders in a forensic psychiatric hospital are subsumed under the section “Measures on improvement and safety”. Section 63 of the German penal law provides for the temporally unlimited commitment to a forensic- psychiatric hospital.In accordance with section 64 of the German penal law addicted offenders can be committed to a detoxification center for a period of up to two years. The available epidemiological data show a clear increase in the admissions to forensic psychiatric hospitals and to detoxification centers since beginnings of the 1990s. Recently the German parliament passed a new law. The aim of the new law is to strengthen patients’ rights and to diminish the number of forensic patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Loth

This paper looks at aspects of work in the forensic psychiatric setting. It is based on music therapy work in a Medium Secure Unit, situated within a general psychiatric hospital. It was felt that there were several important differences in working in this unit of the hospital which often seemed to question the feasability and existence of a music therapy group. This paper concerns itself with these differences. A brief introduction to forensic psychiatry and secure units is given first. This is followed by a short case study of an eight-week music therapy group from which material is used to look at the themes identified. These are summarized into the headings of choice, denial and the law. Their effect on the patients is discussed and the ways in which the music therapy group can address the issues involved are highlighted.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 503-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Alastair Hill ◽  
Paul Brodrick ◽  
Ambre Doherty ◽  
Joanne Lolley ◽  
Freya Wallington ◽  
...  

2004 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eila Repo-Tiihonen ◽  
Osmo Vuorio ◽  
Hanna Koivisto ◽  
Paula Paavola ◽  
Panu Hakola

Author(s):  
Wouter Stassen ◽  
Petra Habets ◽  
Astrid Mertens ◽  
Jan De laender ◽  
Inge Jeandarme

Purpose – In Belgium approximately a quarter of forensic psychiatric patients reside within penitentiaries instead of treatment facilities. This situation has yielded the Belgian government several convictions from the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. In an attempt to facilitate admissions from penitentiary to psychiatric hospital, the Forensic Department of the psychiatric hospital in Rekem (OPZC Rekem), has piloted the InReach project. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The objective of this project is to engage a psychiatric nurse on the ward in pretherapeutic and motivational activities on a regular basis in the penitentiary for vulnerable groups of forensic psychiatric patients, forming a bridge between penitentiary and hospital. The InReach project even considers patients who have no desire to leave the penitentiary (e.g. due to their psychiatric profile). A motivational approach is used to support these patients in making the transition from penitentiary to hospital. Findings – The current article describes the focus of the InReach project (procedures and InReach candidate profiles) together with the first impressions of the progress that has been made by the InReach project. In addition two case studies of InReach patients are presented. The InReach project is clearly needed in Belgium and because of its success it has been extended to another penitentiary. It is probable the two other medium-security wards will also be included in the project in the near future. Originality/value – The Belgian government has received several convictions from the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg because a substantial number of forensic psychiatric patients reside within penitentiaries instead of treatment facilities. The InReach project presented in this paper is clearly needed in Belgium and was implemented to initiate and facilitate the transition from penitentiaries to treatment facilities. The need for this type of project is reflected in the number of forensic psychiatric patients that reside within a penitentiary and that are not able or willing to make the transition to a treatment facility because of their psychiatric profile.


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