Psychiatric services : a journal of the American Psychiatric Association
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Despite large numbers of mentally ill offenders in prisons, few studies of mentally ill offenders released from prison have been conducted. This study describes such a population of mentally ill offenders, the postrelease services they received, new offenses they committed, and factors associated with recidivism. ⋯ Whether community mental health treatment affects recidivism cannot be assessed fairly in the absence of higher levels of service during the first months after release. This study also identifies actuarial risk factors that predict new offenses at a level comparable to that of published risk assessment instruments. Commission of less serious offenses that usually precede felonies may provide an early warning of risk for new felonies and an opportunity for strategic intervention. The low rate of serious violence in the community by mentally ill offenders released from prison suggests that the risk of violence may be a weak and potentially counterproductive rationale for community support and mental health treatment of mentally ill offenders.
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This study sought to identify risk factors associated with the prescription and use of benzodiazepines in nursing homes and to assess the prevalence and determinants of demand for benzodiazepines among nursing home residents. ⋯ Efforts to improve benzodiazepine use in nursing homes must address the need for better assessment and management of depression, sleep, pain, and residents' demand for these medications.