Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 4(11), pp. 972 - 979
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041104
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Violent Offences, Mental Disorder and Substance-use Disorders

Enric Vicens ¹, Rosa Dueñas ^2,*, Vicenç Tort ^1,3
1 Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu, C/ Pujadas 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
² Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu, C/Numancia, 9-13, Barcelona, Spain
³ Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu.C.P. Quatre Camins. Crta Masnou a Granollers Km 13 La Roca del Valles, Barcelona, Spain

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The relationship between violent offences, mental disorder and substance-use disorders has been widely analyzed but has produced contradictory results. Studies examining this relationship in prison populations are scarce. Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between violent crime, substance-use disorders and mental disorder. Method: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, epidemiological study of 707 male prisoners. Socio-demographic, clinical and penal data were collected by trained interviewers. Penal data were confirmed using penitentiary records. The clinical version of the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID 1) for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders was used for diagnosis of Axis I mental disorders (including substance-use disorders). Inmates who have lifetime substance-use disorders were classified by type and number of substances used. We considered violent offences: homicide and attempted homicide, aggravated assault, common assault, robbery, threatening behavior, harassment, arson and any sexual offence. Results: Violent offences in inmates who used drugs (n=370) were more prevalent than in inmates who did not (84.6% vs.15,3%, p<0.0001).The risk of committing a violent crime is double for people using a substance compared to those who do not and those who are not repeat offenders (OR= 2.03 CI 95%: 1.08-3.78). This risk increases when considering repeat offenders and those who use more than one substance (OR= 5.35 CI 95%: 1.26-10.05). The presence of a mental disorder turns out not to be significant (OR= 1.38 CI 95%: 0.98-1.95). Conclusions: In our study, the greatest risk factors for committing a violent offence were being a re-offender and using more than one substance. Mental disorder was not found to be a risk factor for violent offences.

KEYWORDS
Prison, Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, Violent Offence

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Enric Vicens , Rosa Dueñas , Vicenç Tort , "Violent Offences, Mental Disorder and Substance-use Disorders," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 4, No. 11, pp. 972 - 979, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041104.

(b). APA Format:
Enric Vicens , Rosa Dueñas , Vicenç Tort (2016). Violent Offences, Mental Disorder and Substance-use Disorders. Sociology and Anthropology, 4(11), 972 - 979. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041104.