An examination of the relationship of homelessness to mental disorder, criminal behaviour, and health care in a pretrial jail population.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prevalence of homelessness and its relationship to mental disorder, criminal behaviour, and health care.


METHODS
Interview and file data were collected for 790 male admissions to a large, pretrial jail facility over a 12-month period.


RESULTS
A significant relationship was found between homelessness and severe mental disorder as well as between homelessness and prior psychiatric history. There were no significant differences found between the homeless and the nonhomeless on the types of crimes for which they were incarcerated or on contact with health care services within the past year.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate the need for a link between the jail and community services for homeless individuals.
Zapf
P A
PA
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia.
Roesch
R
R
Hart
S D
SD
D000328:Adult; D001955:British Columbia; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data