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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*
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

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
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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