Developing Services for Insanity Acquittees Conditionally Released into the Community: Maximizing Success and Minimizing Recidivism

Steven K. Erickson, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Abstract

This article evaluated factors related to failure to maintain conditional release in a large sample (N = 363) of individuals who were found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) and subsequently released into the community. We evaluated extensive demographic, diagnostic, criminal history, and aftercare information from NGRI acquittees. Results from a logistic regression demonstrated that a diagnosis of substance abuse, previous revocation of conditional release, and mental health symptoms requiring inpatient hospitalization were all related to revocation of conditional release. From a policy perspective, community-based services must be intensive, focused on both mental health and alcohol and drug-abuse problems, and provide a continuity of mental heath services from the hospital to the community. With intense community-based services, NGRI acquittees can be successfully reintegrated into the community with few difficultie