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Clinical specificity of prison inmates with severe mental disorders

A case-control study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Gilles Côté ,
Alain Lesage ,
Nadia Chawky  and
Michel Loyer
Gilles Côté*
Affiliation:
Université du Québec à Trois-Riviéres, and Centre de I'institut Philippe-Pinel de Montréal, Québec, Canada
Alain Lesage
Affiliation:
Recherche Fernand-Seguin, Montréal, and Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
Nadia Chawky
Affiliation:
Recherche Fernand-Seguin, Montréal, and Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
Michel Loyer
Affiliation:
Recherche Fernand-Seguin, Montréal, and Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
*
Dr Gilles Côté, Centre de Recherche de l'lnstitut Philippe Pinel, 10905, Boul. HenriBourassa est, Montréal, Québec HIC IHI, Canada
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Abstract

Background

We wished to determine whether prison inmates with severe mental disorders possess specific clinical characteristics compared with psychiatric in-patients suffering from similar problems.

Method

Under a case-control design, 69 male prison inmates suffering from a schizophrenic or major affective disorder were matched for age and diagnostic spectrum to 60 male psychiatric in-patients. Standardised interviews were used to diagnose psychiatric disorders according to DSM-111-R and social functioning criteria. Case-notes were reviewed to cull data regarding social life, criminal record and service use.

Results

Inmates were more likely to suffer from delusional/NOS psychotic disorders (72%) or major depression (70%), and psychiatric in-patients from schizophrenic or bipolar disorder (62% and 71%, respectively). Comorbidity was more prevalent among inmates than among in-patients, while in-patients presented less social autonomy than did inmates.

Conclusions

The clinical specificity of prison inmates with severe mental disor ders clearly differentiates them from psychiatric in-patients, and warrants recognition of their special needs for assessment and integrated treatment approaches.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 6 , June 1997 , pp. 571 - 577
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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