A Follow-Up of Patients Found “Unfit to Stand Trial” or “Not Guilty” Because of Insanity*

Abstract

Fifty-six patients who were found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity were followed up after their release from a maximum security psychiatric institution. At the time of follow-up 50 percent lived in the community, 43 percent were in psychiatric facilities and 5 percent were in correctional facilities -- 9 percent of the patients were either returned to the maximum security hospital or had committed new offences. The twenty-seven ex-patients who were interviewed generally exhibited little psychiatric symptomatology and there was evidence that they had adjusted well to the psychiatric facility or community in which they lived. As a group they appeared to have made a better vocational than social adjustment.