Factors influencing early return of escapees from a mental hospital

Factors influencing early return of escapees from a mental hospital were studied retrospectively from among 3,892 admissions in the year 1977. 128 case files of patients who according to the operational definition used, were escapees, were taken in. 39 escapees had returned within one week of escape and were called early returns. When compared with the rest of the escapees early return was significantly associated with two factors, viz., patients who were brought for admission by a close relative, and patients who were paying as voluntary boarders. The implications of these findings are discussed.