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Serious criminal offending and mental disorder. Case linkage study
C Wallace1, P Mullen, P Burgess
1Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Department of Psychological Medicine, Australia.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|November 26, 1998
Summary
A study found that while 25% of offenders had prior psychiatric contact, personality disorders and substance misuse largely explained this link. Major mental illnesses like schizophrenia and affective disorders showed a modest increase in offending, often due to co-occurring substance misuse.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Psychiatric Epidemiology
Background:
- The association between mental disorders and offending behaviors is established but not fully understood.
- Clarifying the extent and nature of this relationship is crucial for public health and justice systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of psychiatric history among individuals convicted in higher courts.
- To determine the specific mental disorders and substance use issues associated with offending.
Main Methods:
- Case linkage of offenders convicted in Victoria (1993-1995) to a comprehensive public psychiatric services register.
- Analysis of psychiatric history, including diagnoses and substance misuse, in relation to criminal convictions.
Main Results:
- 25% of convicted offenders had a documented history of psychiatric contact.
- Personality disorders and substance misuse were significantly associated with offending.
- Schizophrenia and affective disorders were over-represented, particularly when co-occurring with substance misuse.
Conclusions:
- The elevated offending rates in schizophrenia and affective disorders are modest and frequently linked to coexisting substance misuse.
- The overall risk of serious crime among individuals with major mental illness is small.
- Current findings do not support increased institutionalization or coercion for this group.