DANGEROUS PATIENTS - A SURVEY OF ONE FORENSIC FACILITY AND REVIEW OF THE ISSUE

This article describes the perceived bases for determinations of dange rousness regarding a representative sample of patients, primarily insa nity acquittees, confined on the grounds of ''dangerousness'' (and men tal disorder) at a secure forensic facility. Accordingly, the article seeks to elucidate various considerations that often are - and perhaps should be - involved in clinical assessments of dangerousness regardi ng the population under consideration, and the various forms by which perceived - and judicially determined - dangerousness manifested itsel f in the study population. Some possible implications of the findings for certain policies regarding the confinement of mentally disordered individuals - particularly insanity acquittees - on the grounds of ''d angerousness'' are also discussed.