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PAPERS:
Suzie Reed, Ailsa Russell, Kiriakos Xenitidis, and Declan G. M. Murphy
People with learning disabilities in a low secure in-patient unit: comparison of offenders and non-offenders
The British Journal of Psychiatry 2004; 185: 499-504 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read eLetter] Confusion aroung inconsistency in the results
Thomas Marshall   (17 December 2004)

Confusion aroung inconsistency in the results 17 December 2004
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Thomas Marshall,
LD Psychiatrist

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Re: Confusion aroung inconsistency in the results

Tom.Marshall{at}nottshc.nhs.uk Thomas Marshall

Dear Sir/Madam,

I found this study fascinating, as it demonstrates the apparently random nature of a forensic label in our patients. It is clearly not to do with risk. I am confused by some of the results. The whole gist of the argument is that the offender group are less violent than their non- offender counterparts. However, it is stated that in the offenders group the challenging behaviour diminishes from 0.79 incidents per week to 0.36 and that for the non-offender group from 0.23 to 0.11. This is challenging behaviour generally, but this suggests the offender group exhibit greater challenging behaviour throughout their stay than the non-offender group. Table 2 states the opposite. I would be interested to see how this inconsistency can be explained.