The British Journal of Psychiatry (1966) 112: 1151-1154. doi: 10.1192/bjp.112.492.1151
© 1966 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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A Study of Arsonists in a Special Security Hospital

D. W. McKERRACHER 1 and A. J. I. DACRE 2

1 Senior Clinical Psychologist, Rampton Hospital, Notts.
2 Medical Superintendent, The Mental Hospital, Barbados

A one year sample of male patients referred to the psychology department of a special security hospital, was divided into two groups: those who had committed arson, and those who had not. Compared with the control group, the arsonists showed a higher conditioning rate. More of them had a psychotic overlay and a history of attempted suicide. A greater percentage was prone to self-mutilation. Fewer of them had committed sexual offences, and fewer of them had displayed direct physical aggression against the person. It is suggested that arsonists who are sent to Rampton are likely to be emotionally more labile than other Rampton patients. They also display a greater variety of psychiatric symptoms than is found among the other subnormal and psychopathic offenders in the hospital.

Submitted on November 19, 1965




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