A comparison of patients admitted to two medium secure units, one for those of normal intelligence and one for those with learning disability

Differences between patients being treated in two different medium secure u nits, one for those of normal intelligence and one for those with learning disability, were investigated. Sociodemographic, psychiatric, medical and m edicolegal data were recorded for all inpatients in both secure units, Pati ents in the medium secure unit for those of normal intelligence were older at the time of the study and at conviction for the index offence, more like ly to have been admitted from the penal system, and more likely to suffer f rom a psychotic disorder, particularly schizophrenia or a mood disorder, Th eir index offence was more likely to be homicide, attempted murder, manslau ghter or grievous bodily harm, while that of the patients with learning dis ability was more likely to be a sexual offence. A need for separate medium secure unit facilities for those of normal intelligence and those with lear ning disability is supported by differing psychiatric and behavioural requi rements.