Forensic Patients in State Psychiatric Hospitals, 1989
Completed in 1995
This report examines the forensic composition of state psychiatric hospitals in 1989. The findings suggest that forensic patients accounted for a small proportion of the state psychiatric hospital patient population in 1989. Fewer forensic patients were admitted in 1989 compared to non-forensic patients. Despite having a smaller number of admissions, forensic patients had a longer length of stay than non-forensic patients. Results from the study suggested that more information needed to be collected on forensic patients residing at state hospitals, including data on the sub-classifications for forensic patients (e.g. Incompetent to stand trial, not guilty by reason of insanity), to gain a better understanding on why forensic patients have longer lengths of stay and what strategies could be useful for state hospital to implement to handle this population.