Factors that Lead to Recidivism for Offenders with Severe Mental Illness

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

Serious mental illnesses (SMIs) are persistent disorders and may include an individual experiencing psychotic symptoms. The purpose of this annotated bibliography is to review literature outlining the risk factors for those with SMIs who become involved in the criminal justice system.

For this poster, numerous databases were searched and peer-reviewed, scholarly articles that were published since 2006 and focused on recidivism and offenders with SMIs were reviewed. There are several factors related to re-offending for those with SMIs. In general, they are sentenced to longer terms than re-offenders without SMIs. The legal system also provides inadequate services for incarnated individuals with SMIs. Upon release from prison, they often do not utilize community resources, such as government assistance and mental health services.

These individuals may also have an increased likelihood for recidivism because of co-occurring substance abuse diagnoses. These comorbid diagnoses can lead to noncompliance with taking psychotropic medications and an increased likelihood they may participate in illegal behaviors which can lead to recidivism. In this annotated bibliography, risk factors for those with SMIs who become involved in the criminal justice system will be reviewed and suggestions for preventing further offending provided.

Authors

• Gillian LaRue, Wright State University

• Janelle Nicole Dixon, Wright State University

• Cristina Chevere, Wright State University

• Eleanor Tripp, Wright State University

• Samantha Gauvin, Wright State University

• Devon Douglas, Wright State University

• Cheryl Meyer, Wright State University