Delinquency and criminal offenses in former schizophrenic inpatients 7-12 years following discharge.

摘要

BACKGROUND: Previously, we reported a high prevalence of aggression in a large sample of schizophrenic patients treated between 1990-1995 in the psychiatric hospital of the University of Munich. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of criminal offences and delinquency in former schizophrenic inpatients following discharge. METHOD: With permission of the German General Attorney we reviewed the national criminal register records of criminal offences of these patients for a 7-12 year period following discharge. RESULTS: 224 (13.1%) of the 1705 patients had been convicted in the 7-12 year post discharge period. Male patients (22.1%) outnumbered female patients (6.9 %) 3:1 in this respect. The rate for violent offences was especially high: 45 (2.6 %) of the sample were convicted for physical injury offences (68 cases). Five cases of attempted or completed manslaughter or murder were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate a significant rate of delinquency and serious physical injuries in former schizophrenic inpatients. Future research may try to identify risk factors for aggression and violence in schizophrenic patients.