In recent years it has become apparent that mentally ill people are at increased risk of committing crimes of violence. Most writing and research about crime and mental disorder has focused necessarily on the immediate problems which confront clinicians and law makers - assessing and managing the future risk of violence. In this important new book the authors attempt to step back from these immediate preoccupations and describe the criminality of the mentally ill and try to identify the complex chain of factors which cause it. As part of their analysis they examine a unique cohort composed of 15,117 persons born in Stockholm who were studied from pregnancy to the age of thirty. While they conclude that we still do not understand exactly how and why persons with major mental disorders commit crimes, their findings make a valuable contribution to ongoing debates on mental health and criminal justice policy and practice.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in crime among persons suffering from major mental disorders. The authors attempt to describe the criminality of the mentally ill and to identify the complex chain of factors which cause it. As part of their analysis they examine a unique group of 15,117 persons born in Stockholm who were studied from prenatal development to the age of thirty. Their findings make a valuable contribution to ongoing debates on mental health and criminal justice policy and practice.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in crime amongst persons suffering from major mental disorders. In this important new book the authors attempt to describe the criminality of the mentally ill and to identify the complex chain of factors which cause it.

Contributors to this volume present and discuss new data which suggest that major mental disorder substantially increases the risk of violent crime. These findings come at a crucial time, since those who suffer from mental disorders are increasingly living in the community, rather than in institutions. The book describes the magnitude and complexity of the problem and offers hope that humane, effective intervention can prevent violent crime being committed by the seriously mentally disordered.

The mentally disordered criminal is a public nightmare, and themanagement of these offenders can be driven as much by politicaland economic concerns as by scientific evidence and professionaljudgement within the fields of mental health and correctionservices. This book aims to provide a critical and focused reviewof knowledge and best practice in this field for mental health andcorrection professionals and for those concerned with policy andmanagement of services for these offenders. Mentally disordered offenders include offenders who suffer fromschizophrenia, major affective disorders, personality disorders(including psychopathy), brain damage, and mental retardation. Thetopic is of increasing importance because of the growth ofcommunity psychiatry, and the growing community programmes foroffenders, and also because of the growing pressures on thoseinstitutions which deal with offenders and care for the mentallydisordered or disabled. Professionals in these fields will welcomethis book which: * Provides a review of approaches to treatment, accessible to awide mental health and forensic readership * Relates treatment approaches to specific mental problems, andreviews evidence of effectiveness * features a truly international group of authors bringing togethera wide variety of approaches, scientific research, and practicalexperience of important programmes for treatment and prevention "Few recent texts provide both the depth and breadth necessary tounderstand the vexing behaviour of mentally disordered offenders.Drs Hodgins and Muller-Isberner, a remarkable pairing of researchand clinical expertise, have put together a highly readable andsuperb resource for anyone interested in this interface of seriousmental illness and criminal behavior. The authors of theconstituent chapters are leading authorities in their respectiveareas and have provided thoughtful commentary on the most recentinternational literature. This is a first-rate treatment of arapidly growing and fascinating field." Marvin Swartz, DukeUniversity, USA

Psychopathology and Violent Crime goes to the heart of this controversial and complex subject. Dr. Skodol presents the results of extensive epidemiologic samples and studies of criminal populations on the correlation between crime and mental disorder.

This brief summarizes the existing body of knowledge about the links between mental illness and violence, recommends improved methods to deal with potentially violent individuals with mental illness, and identifies pressing implementation and research needs. In public perception and media reports, mental illness and violence - particularly gun violence - are unquestionably linked. However, empirical research presents a more nuanced and complex view of this relationship. Taking into account differences between youth and adults, as well as gender and racial difference, this innovative volume will be useful to policy-makers, legislators, researchers and students interested in addressing the growing public concern about mentally ill individuals at risk for violence.