Accountable or not accountable: A profile comparison of alleged offenders referred to the Free State Psychiatric Complex Forensic Observation Ward in Bloemfontein from 2009 to 2012

Background: The crime rate in South Africa is extraordinarily high. The problem of crime is further complicated when a person, who suffers from a mental illness, becomes involved in a crime. Furthermore, the forensic evaluation of a person suspected of having a mental illness involved in alleged criminal behaviour can be challenging. However, a dearth of information exists in South African literature regarding the link between crime and mental illness.Aim: To determine the percentage of alleged offenders, referred to the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC) for observation, found accountable and not accountable, and to compare the biographical, diagnosis and offence profiles of these two groups. The analysis of differences can contribute to a better understanding of the complex process of forensic assessments.Setting: Forensic Observation Ward, FSPC, Bloemfontein.Methods: In this comparative, retrospective study, all 505 trial-awaiting alleged offenders (observati) referred from 2009 to 2012 for a 30-day observation period, according to Sections 77 and/or 78 of the Criminal Procedures Act, were included. Results were summarised as frequencies and percentages, and means or percentiles. Significant differences between the groups were determined by sample t-tests or chi-squared tests.Results: Observati found not accountable were in the majority (64.5%). Significant differences were found regarding marital and employment status, substance abuse, type of offence and diagnoses between the two groups. Almost all of the observati found to be not accountable were diagnosed with mental illness at the time of the assessment, whereas most observati found to be accountable for their actions at the time of the alleged offence were not found to be mentally ill. Observati found not accountable were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, intellectual disability and substance-induced psychotic disorder, and committed mostly assault, murder and vandalism. Observati found accountable committed mostly rape, murder and theft.Conclusion: The majority of observati were found not accountable, with significant differences found between the two groups regarding demographic characteristics, type of diagnosis and offences committed. The identified differences can be used to assist in establishing criteria for the appropriate referral of alleged offenders by courts. Unnecessary referrals have a serious financial impact on the Department of Health. Furthermore, the high incidence of substance abuse among persons referred to the FSPC highlights the need for more substance rehabilitation centres in the Free State Province.

Download Full-text

Profile of forensic psychiatric inpatients referred to the Free State Psychiatric Complex, 2004–2008

South African Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v17i2.274 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

C Pienaar ◽

A Dreyer ◽

L Van der Merwe ◽

B Jansen van Rensburg ◽

F J W Calitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Psychiatric Inpatients ◽

Free State ◽

Bipolar Mood Disorder ◽

State Psychiatric ◽

Forensic Psychiatric ◽

Training Programmes

Introduction: An accused found unfit to stand trial and/or not responsible for his/her actions because of mental illness, is declared a state patient by the court. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyse the biographical data and relevant particulars of forensic psychiatric inpatients who were admitted to the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC) according to section 42 of the Mental Health Care Act (no. 17 of 2002), from 2004 to 2008. Study design A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted. Method One hundred and twenty forensic psychiatric inpatients admitted to the FSCP in the terms of section 42 of the Mental Health Care Act in the period 2004–2008, were included in the study.Results: The majority (95.8%) of the offenders were male, unmarried (83.8%) and unemployed (81.5%). The median age was 32.5 years. Most of the offenses against persons were of a sexual nature (45.8%). More than half (55.5%) of the forensic inpatients were diagnosed with schizophrenia, followed by mental retardation (10%) and bipolar mood disorder. Eighty percent (80%) of these patients were found not competent to stand trial and unaccountable. Fifty percent (50%) of the participants received treatment for a mental illness prior to the crime, and were also known to have poor compliance and defaulted from treatment in the past.Conclusion: The findings of this study can contribute to implement effective management and training programmes for the benefit of state patients.

Download Full-text

Psychiatric evaluation of offenders referred to the Free State Psychiatric Complex according to sections 77 and/ or 78 of the Criminal Procedures Act

South African Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v12i3.66 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

F J W Calitz ◽

P H J J Van Rensburg ◽

C Fourie ◽

E Liebenberg ◽

C Van den Berg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Disorder ◽

Common Mental Disorder ◽

Relevant Information ◽

High Rate ◽

Free State ◽

Psychiatric Evaluation ◽

Department Of Health ◽

State Psychiatric ◽

Study Population ◽

The University

Background. The increase in crime is a problem of great concern in South Africa and complications arise when the accused is mentally ill.Objective. Analysis of the offenders referred to the Free State Psychiatric Complex from 1995 to 2001 according to section 77 (triability) and/or section 78 (accountability) of the Criminal Procedures Act (Act 51 of 1977).Method. The study population consisted of 514 persons awaiting trial in the Free State. They were referred to the Free State Psychiatric Complex for 30 days’ observation from 1995 to 2001. A data form was created and used to transfer the relevant information from the accused’s clinical files.Data analysis. The data collected were analysed by the Department of Biostatistics at the University of the Free State.Results. The majority of the offenders were male (94.6%) and unmarried (66.3%). The median age of the group was 30 years. The unemployment rate was 60%. Most of the referrals (84.2%) were in terms of sections 77 and 78. The accused were found to have mainly average intelligence (75.3%). The main offences were theft (27.8%), murder (18.9%), assault (18.1%) and rape (16.2%). The most common mental disorder diagnosed was schizophrenia (23.0%), with 54.3% having no mental disorder. Nearly half the offenders (48.6%) were found to be triable and accountable.Conclusion. The majority of the offenders referred for psychiatric observation were found to have no mental illness and were referred back to the courts. This results in high costs for the Department of Health. To reduce the high rate of unnecessary referrals it is recommended that courts give clear reasons for the referrals according to each section (77 and 78).

Download Full-text

HUBUNGAN PENGGUNAAN ALAT KONTRASEPSI SUNTIK DENGAN SIKLUS MENSTRUASI PADA AKSEPTOR KB SUNTIK YANG PERIKSA DI POLINDES MAYANG

KOSALA : Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan ◽

10.37831/jik.v3i1.31 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tunjung Sri Yulianti ◽

Apresia Murtati ◽

Ratna Dwi Maryanti

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

P Value ◽

Test Statistic ◽

Chi Square ◽

Menstrual Cycles ◽

Department Of Health ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Asean Countries ◽

Almost All ◽

The Relationship

AbstractIntroduction: Indonesia is the world's 5th State with estimated population, namely 249 million. With fertility rates or Total Fertility Rate (TFR) 2.6, Indonesia was still above the average TFR ASEAN countries namely 2.4. The Agency's data on population and family planning (BKKBN) National shows that by 2013 there 8.500.247 (Fertile Age Couples) who are participants in a new and almost KB half 4.128.115 (48,56) using a method of contraception injections. (Department of health, 2013) Almost all contraceptives have side effects. At a time when researchers conduct interviews beginning on the check Acceptor in Polindes Mayang, Gatak, Sukoharjo, most mothers who use contraception injections said that their menstrual cycles become irregular.The purpose: To know the relation of the use of contraception injections with menstrual cycle on the Acceptor KB in Polindes Mayang.The method: The research design with analytic research, with correlation test statistic Chi Squared or X² with p value of 0.05.The results: There is a relationship between the use of contraception injections with menstrual cycle on the Acceptor KB in Polindes Mayang with Pearson Chi Square value of 0.001 p (probability 0.05) the magnitude of the relationship 0,536 or 53,6 %.Conclusion: There is a relationship between the use of contraception injections with menstrual cycle on the Acceptor KB in Polindes Mayang.Keywords: contraception injections, menstrual cycle

Download Full-text

Bosman, Herman Charles (1905–1951)

Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism ◽

10.4324/9781135000356-rem1550-1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Craig MacKenzie

Keyword(s):

Short Stories ◽

South African ◽

Short Story ◽

African Literature ◽

The Family ◽

South African Literature ◽

Family Home ◽

Story Writer ◽

Almost All ◽

The University

A short-story writer, novelist, poet and journalist, Bosman was born in Kuils River near Cape Town, but spent most of his life in the Transvaal, and it is the Transvaal milieu that features in almost all of his writings. He became known in the 1940s for his ‘Oom Schalk Lourens’ stories, and his use of this simple-seeming but wily narrator has ensured his place in South African literature as one of the country’s most enduring and best-loved storywriters. Schalk Lourens features in the short-story collections Mafeking Road (1947) and Unto Dust (1963), while Bosman’s prison memoir, Cold Stone Jug (1949), set the trend for this important genre in South Africa. Bosman was educated at Jeppe Boys’ High School, the University of the Witwatersrand and Normal College, where he qualified as a teacher. In January 1926 he received a posting to the Groot Marico in the remote Western Transvaal, as it was known then. Despite its short duration, this stay later inspired almost all of his 150 short stories. In July 1926, on vacation at the family home in Johannesburg, he became embroiled in a family quarrel and shot and killed his step-brother David Russell. He was tried and sentenced to death—a sentence that was later commuted to imprisonment for ten years with hard labour. He eventually served four years of this sentence and was released on parole in August 1930.

Download Full-text

Use of the Judicial Section 9 Certification in the Free State

South African Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v10i4.122 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S J Meyer ◽

M Slabber ◽

P HJJ Van Rensburg ◽

M Nel

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Free State ◽

Referral System ◽

Public Prosecution ◽

Alternative System ◽

State Psychiatric ◽

Direct Referral

A direct referral system for referring persons who perpetrate a crime while suffering from a mental illness has evolved between the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Free State, and the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC) over the years. The efficiency and impact of this direct referral system have never been quantified. This study found that this alternative system is uncomplicated, functions quite effectively with a minimum of inappropriate referrals, and contributes greatly towards decreasing the workload of the judicial as well as the psychiatric system.

Download Full-text