NCJ Number
18671
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 65 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 520-527
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY ANALYZES THE FACTORS WHICH IMPINGE ON THE MENTAL HOSPITAL STAFF'S DECISION TO CONTINUE OR TERMINATE THE OFFENDER'S INDEFINITE COMMITMENT.
Abstract
THE DATA FOR THIS STUDY WERE COLLECTED FROM THE RECORDS OF A MENTAL HOSPITAL FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE LOCATED IN A MIDWESTERN STATE. THE RESEARCH POPULATION CONSISTED OF A TEN PER CENT RANDOM SAMPLE OF THE RECORDS OF ALL MALE PATIENTS COMMITTED FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD FROM 1965-71, BUT RELEASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 1, 1973. A TOTAL OF 103 RECORDS WERE EXAMINED. A MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS PROVIDED A MEASURE OF THE DEGREE OF VARIANCE IN THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE (LENGTH OF INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT) ACCOUNTED FOR EACH INDEPENDENT VARIABLE WHILE ALL OTHERS WERE HELD CONSTANT. THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLES INCLUDED SOCIO-BIOGRAPHICAL, LEGAL-CRIMINAL, DIAGNOSIS, AND INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE FACTORS. LONGER COMMITMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH FACTORS AS: HIGHER AGE, NON-WHITE RACE, DIVORCED OR WIDOWED STATUS, LOWER SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS, URBAN RESIDENCE, COMMITMENT FOR A VIOLENT CRIME, PREVIOUS HOSPITALIZATION, LESS CONTACT WITH DOCTORS, AND NUMBER OF TRANSFERS TO MORE SECURE WARDS. NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LENGTH OF COMMITMENT AND SUCH FACTORS AS PRIOR CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT, THE DIAGNOSIS UPON COMMITMENT, AND THE PATIENT'S PERFORMANCE IN THERAPY WAS FOUND. THIS LEADS THE AUTHOR TO CONCLUDE THAT A CONTROL MODEL RATHER THAN TREATMENT MODEL OF ADMINISTRATION IS USED, DUE TO THE LACK OF INDIVIDUAL CONCERN WITH PATIENTS AND THE GREAT CONCERN WITH ORGANIZATIONAL SMOOTHNESS AND EFFICIENCY.