A Follow-Up Study of Mentally Disordered Offenders after a Court Diversion Scheme: Six-Month and One-Year Comparison

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate offenders' living patterns, quality of life, types of aftercare received and psychological well-being, following their diversion from one court diversion scheme in England. Sixty-five offenders were followed up after six months, 22 of whom were also followed up after one year. Their transient living patterns throughout these two periods were described. Their quality of life was found to be poor in that most did not have an occupation, nor did they receive education, and the life experiences during both periods were lower than that of standardized urban samples. There were no significant changes in their poor life experiences over the two periods. Over 55% of the 22 offenders still contacted their GPs regularly but there was a significant drop in those consulting hospital doctors. Only a small number of offenders had contact with the social services in these two periods and no significant differences were found between them. Their GHQ total scores went above cutoff point and the level of psychiatric conditions was similar in both periods.