Rates and predictors of breach, revocation and hospital readmission of conditionally released Forensic Patients in New South Wales, Australia

ABSTRACT

Forensic patients who have been referred for secure hospital care after serious offences committed whilst mentally ill often have complex mental health conditions and risks that must be carefully considered in planning their safe release into the community. This study aimed to establish the rates and predictors of several post-release outcomes in a cohort of conditionally released forensic patients in NSW, including breaches of conditions, revocation of conditional release and readmission to hospital. Among the 245 patients who were conditionally released during the study period, just over half (57.1%; n = 140) had at least one recorded breach, revocation or readmission. Independent predictors of those outcomes included not being engaged in employment or study at the time of the index offence, having a comorbid diagnosis of substance use disorder, history of head injury and having a non-homicide-related index offence. These findings have implications for post-release planning and interventions provided by forensic mental health services.

KEYWORDS:

• Forensic mental health
• forensic patient
• conditional release
• schizophrenia
• hospital readmission

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. It should be noted that in 2021 the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act (1990). Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act, 1990 (NSW) was replaced with the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act (2020). Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act (2020; NSW). The legislation replaced the term ‘NGMI’ with a finding of ‘act’ proven but not criminally responsible’. However, the term ‘NGMI’ has been retained throughout this paper as all data was collected under the previous legislation.

Additional information

Funding

Ms Georgia Lyons was supported by the New South Wales Mental Health Commission. Professor Kimberlie Dean is supported by Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network and an NHMRC Investigator Grant (APP1175408).