title: Community DSPD pilot services in South London: rates of reconviction and impact of supported housing on reducing recidivism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effectiveness of community services in reducing recidivism by men in the 'dangerous and severe personality disorder' framework--with personality disorder and at high risk of recidivism--is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a preliminary examination of the characteristics and reconviction rates of male offenders with personality disorder accessing two South London community dangerous and severe personality disorder pilot outpatient services and to evaluate the role of supported housing for them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reoffending outcomes of 107 high risk offenders with personality disorder were assessed using a cross-sectional cohort study design. Participants were allocated to outpatient only (non-residential) or outpatient with supported housing groups. Self-reported, collateral and criminal justice data and Offender Group Reconviction Scale III predictors of reoffending were used to describe the samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall reconviction rate over the entire study period was 11%. At 12 months following acceptance to the service, reoffending for the entire sample was significantly lower (5%) than mean Offender Group Reconviction Scale III scores predicted (51%). Multivariate analyses confirmed that those also in receipt of supportive housing were significantly less likely to reoffend than those without. Although there was no difference between groups in violent reconviction specifically, only five men in total reoffended violently.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although findings appear promising, this was a naturalistic study. The sample size was small, but represented all men accepted into the two pilot services. Further evaluation of the role of supported housing and perhaps other details of community supervision should follow.
authors.affiliation: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jeffcote
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coulston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057237:Criminals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012946:Social Welfare; D055815:Young Adult