2074 – Characteristics Of Law Breaking Behaviour In ‘early Intervention In Psychosis’ Patients

Abstract

Introduction

Early Intervention Services (EIS) have a number of objectives including reducing legal harm to individuals suffering from psychosis. There are no standardised practices in the UK.

Objectives

The characteristics of the offending behaviour in an EIS service were profiled using demographic variables, identifying the nature of the offence and reviewing the patient outcomes.

Methods

It was a retrospective audit of case notes. The inclusion criterion was a conviction during the EIS care spell.

Results

12 offenders out of 120 patients were identified.58% of offenders were male.58% had harmful use of alcohol/substances and 8% had dependency.

The most prevalent diagnosis was paranoid schizophrenia (25%) and unspecified psychosis (25%). 17% had substance induced psychosis and 8% had bipolar disorder.

The most prevalent crimes were violence to person (41%), threats to life of others (41%), followed by larceny (33%) and violence to property (17%).

25% were detained in hospital, 8% imprisoned and 33% received community sentences.

There was no change in diagnosis in 91% of offenders after the offence.

There was no change in medication in 75% of offenders. 8% had antipsychotic medication changed, 8% had antidepressant medication added, and 8% had ADHD medication added.

Conclusions

A number of demographic risk variables for offending in an EIS were identified. The offending led to limited responses around diagnosis and interventions. Given the proliferation of EIS worldwide, the issue of managing (and ideally preventing) offending will have wide application. Our study suggests more comprehensive evaluation is needed for developing models of intervention.