CRIMINAL RECIDIVISM IN MENTALLY-ILL OFFENDERS - A PILOT-STUDY

Criminal recidivism in mentally ill offenders, in the context of a cou nty jail, has not been extensively studied. This study compares the ra te of criminal recidivism between those who suffered from a mental ill ness at the time of arrest and those who did not. In addition, the len gth of incarceration between these two groups was compared. Using surv ival analysis, a risk assessment model describing the key features inv olved in criminal recidivism among the mentally ill may be built. To o ur knowledge, this study is the first of its kind and will suggest are as of intervention that could prevent criminal recidivism among mental ly ill offenders. Due to the lack of literature on the subject, this p ilot study provides estimates of key parameters, such as types of crim es and frequency of incarceration, needed to undertake a definitive st udy. Furthermore, the pilot study provides an opportunity to develop a nd field test a data abstraction form and computer matching methods.