Aggressive behaviour, victimization and crime among severely mentally ill patients requiring hospitalisation.

BACKGROUND Severe mental illness is associated with increased risk of aggressive behaviour, crime and victimization. Mental health policy does not acknowledge this evidence. The number of forensic beds has risen dramatically. AIMS To examine the prevalence of aggressive behaviour, victimization and criminality among people receiving in-patient treatment for severe mental illness in an inner-city area. METHOD Self-reports of aggressive behaviour and victimization and criminal records were collected for 205 in-patients with severe mental illness. RESULTS In the preceding 6 months 49% of the men and 39% of the women had engaged in aggressive behaviour and 57% of the men and 48% of the women had been victims of assault; 47% of the men and 17% of the women had been convicted of at least one violent crime. CONCLUSIONS Aggressive behaviour and victimization are common among severely mentally ill people requiring hospitalisation in the inner city. Rates of violent crime are higher than in the general population.