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Abstract: 

This study examined factors related to short-term success on release in the community for 297 offenders with mental disorders who were released into the community. Only 25% of the offenders succeeded in staying in the community without a revocation in the first year after their release. In comparing the successful and unsuccessful offenders, two static and demographic factors were found to be related to success on release: older age and previous sexual offence. Based on a detailed examination of a subset of 20 successful and 20 unsuccessful offenders, the dynamic factors related to life circumstances that distinguished those who succeeded were: social support from families, prosocial partners and friends, involvement in structured community activities (particularly employment and community correctional programs), and the offenders’ motivation to stay in the community. In addition, almost every offender in both groups was involved in some form of mental health service. These preliminary results suggest advice for case management regarding which strategies might assist offenders with mental disorders to remain in the community after release from incarceration.

Keywords: Offenders with mental disorders, protective factors, resilience, desistance, recidivism

Affiliations:  1: Correctional Service of Canada.