A follow up of patients found 'Unfit to stand trial' or 'Not guilty' because of insanity

Abstract

Fifty six patients who were found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity were followed up after their release from a maximum security psychiatric institution. At the time of follow up 50 percent lived in the community, 43 percent were in psychiatric facilities and 5 percent were in correctional facilities - 9 percent of the patients were either returned to the maximum security hospital or had committed new offences. The twenty seven expatients who were interviewed generally exhibited little psychiatric symptomatology and there was evidence that they had adjusted well to the psychiatric facility or community in which they lived. As a group they appeared to have made a better vocational than social adjustment.