Factors predicting arrest for homeless persons receiving integrated residential treatment for co-occurring disorders.
BACKGROUND
Homeless individuals are at increased risk for health and criminal justice problems.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine risk factors affecting arrest rates in a cohort of homeless people with co-occurring psychiatric and substance-abuse disorders.


METHODS
Baseline data were collected from 96 homeless individuals residing in a residential treatment facility for people with co-occurring disorders. Arrest data were obtained for 2 years following treatment intake. Regression analyses were employed to examine interactions between study variables.


RESULTS
One third of the sample was arrested during the 2-year follow-up period, principally for drug offences. People referred to treatment directly from the criminal justice system were four times more likely to re-offend than those referred from other sources. Participants' perceived need for mental-health services reduced risk of arrest while their perception of medical needs increased this risk.


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between referral from a criminal justice source and re-arrest after admission to the treatment facility is unsurprising, and consistent with previous literature, but the suggestion of an independently increased risk in the presence of perceived physical health-care needs is worthy of further study. The lower risk of arrest for people who perceive that they have psychological needs is encouraging.
Barrett
Blake
B
Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Young
M Scott
MS
Moore
Kathleen
K
Borum
Randy
R
Ochshorn
Ezra
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D055815:Young Adult