Homeless mentally disordered offenders and violent crimes: Preliminary research findings.

Abstract

This study examines the prevalence of homelessness in a cross-sectional sample of 150 patients retained in a maximum-security hospital for mentally disordered offenders in New York City. The homeless mentally ill comprise only 2% of the city's mentally ill population, yet they account for 50% of the admissions to this forensic facility from the community. Compared to population base rate estimates, forensic patients are homeless at 25 times the rate found in the rest of the city's mentally disordered population and are 50 times more likely to be homeless than the general population. Further, there is a significant association between homelessness at the time of the instant offense and charges for violent crimes, after controlling for age, sex, race, and diagnosis. These data suggest that homelessness greatly increases the risk that mentally disordered persons will be forensically hospitalized and is closely associated with indictments for violent criminal behavior. Alternative explanations for these findings are discussed, emphasizing risk, vulnerability, and criminalization perspectives.

The Ecology of Homelessness

“…(Polczynski, 2007). However, in an earlier study, Martell (1991) found the mentally ill homeless represented 50% of all admissions to a New York City maximum security hospital. This study suggested a higher base rate of violent criminal behavior in this population and the existence of a subgroup that might pose a threat to public safety secondary to violent behavior.…”

“…As found, homeless inmates are more likely to have been charged with violent offenses, thus raising questions about public safety. The previously noted factors of untreated mental illness, substance abuse, disaffiliation, and lack of social support may increase issues of recidivism and subsequently public safety (Martell, 1991;Polczynski, 2007).…”

Homelessness in the state and federal prison population

“…The fi rst is that homelessness itself may be crimogenic, refl ecting efforts of homeless individuals to survive with limited resources (Fischer, 1988(Fischer, , 1992Snow et al, 1989;McCarthy and Hagen, 1991). The second is that poor health status, especially substance abuse and/or mental illness, common among homeless individuals, increases their risk of criminal justice system involvement (Benda, 1993;Desai et al, 2000;Fischer, 1988Fischer, , 1992Kushel et al, 2005;Lindelius and Salum, 1976;Snow et al, 1989;Gelberg et al, 1988;Martell, 1991;Martell et al, 1995). Thirdly, some socio-demographic characteristics (being male, single, young, poor, of minority ethnicity or being poorly educated) have been found to be associated with both homelessness and risk of criminal justice system involvement in some but not all studies (Blakely, 1992;Solomon and Draine, 1995;Michaels et al, 1992;Martell, 1991;Martell et al, 1995;DeLisi, 2000;Richman et al, 1992;Solomon et al, 1992;Vitelli, 1993).…”

“…The second is that poor health status, especially substance abuse and/or mental illness, common among homeless individuals, increases their risk of criminal justice system involvement (Benda, 1993;Desai et al, 2000;Fischer, 1988Fischer, , 1992Kushel et al, 2005;Lindelius and Salum, 1976;Snow et al, 1989;Gelberg et al, 1988;Martell, 1991;Martell et al, 1995). Thirdly, some socio-demographic characteristics (being male, single, young, poor, of minority ethnicity or being poorly educated) have been found to be associated with both homelessness and risk of criminal justice system involvement in some but not all studies (Blakely, 1992;Solomon and Draine, 1995;Michaels et al, 1992;Martell, 1991;Martell et al, 1995;DeLisi, 2000;Richman et al, 1992;Solomon et al, 1992;Vitelli, 1993). Finally, it has been suggested that the association between homelessness and incarceration may be bi-directional in that incarceration increases the risk of homelessness by reducing community and family ties as well as opportunities for employment and public housing (Kushel, 2005;Travis et al, 2001).…”

The relationship between lower intelligence, crime and custodial outcomes: a brief literary review of a vulnerable group

“…A body of research has also demonstrated that individuals with lower IQ levels are more likely to commit more severe (and violent) offences (Crocker & Hodgins, 1997;Hayes & McIIwain, 1988;Martell, 1991). Additionally, evidence exists which demonstrates that criminal offenders have lower IQ's than non-offenders (Feldman, 1993;Herrnstein & Murray, 1994;Wilson & Herrnstein, 1985).…”