Nineteen male serious reoffenders who were discharged from a Special Hospital: III. Illustrated administrative issues

Abstract

There were a total of 112 discharges directly to the community from Park Lane Special Hospital. The 19 cases who were reconvicted of an offence designated as serious during the period 1974 to 1989 were identified. This article presents an analysis of 13 of these cases, which demonstrates four ways in which administrative issues relating to the management and treatment of mentally disordered offenders seriously compromised each clinical team's work. Suggestions are made for reviews of the working of mental health review tribunals, the transfer of patients from prison, the diagnosis and disposition of psychopaths and the supervision of patients in the community after their discharge from care under conditions of maximum security.