PLACEMENT OF LONG-TERM 'CRIMINALLY INSANE' PATIENTS IN OPEN SETTINGS

• NCJ Number: 28686
• Journal: Hospital and Community Psychiatry Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 160-163
• Author(s): R A MUELLER; C M IOSSI
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: American Psychiatric Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER DESCRIBES THE EFFORTS OF THE IOWA SECURITY MEDICAL FACILITY IN OAKDALE TO PLACE 20 LONG-TERM PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS WHO HAD CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THEM IN OPEN HOSPITALS AND AFTERCARE SETTINGS.

Abstract

PATIENTS WERE TRANSFERRED BETWEEN 1969 AND 1971. THE STAFF PREPARED THE PATIENTS FOR TRANSFER AND PERSUADED AUTHORITIES TO PERMIT THE PLACEMENTS. A FOLLOW-UP OF THE PATIENTS SHOWED THAT 19 OF THE 20 HAD ADAPTED TO THE NEW SETTINGS. THE AUTHORS SPECULATE THAT AGE IS A FACTOR IN PREDICTING AFTERCARE ADJUSTMENT; 18 OF THE 19 PATIENTS WERE AT LEAST 44 YEARS OLD. THE AUTHORS ALSO FELT THAT CLINICAL STAFF MUST TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO REDUCE THE NEEDLESS CONFINEMENT OF SUCH PATIENTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)