To save content items to your account,
please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies.
If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account.
Find out more about saving content to .
To save content items to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org
is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings
on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part
of your Kindle email address below.
Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations.
‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi.
‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Over the decades, research has demonstrated that Conditional Release Programs (CONREP) and Compulsory community treatment can reduce recidivism among forensic patients discharged from inpatient commitment. This study synthesizes current knowledge—including findings from a 2024 California Department of State Hospitals report—to evaluate the impact of involuntary community treatment on recidivism and patient outcomes.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 2613 patients discharged from California state hospitals between 2012 and 2017. Patients were either directly discharged to the community (N = 2011) or referred to CONREP (N = 602). Data on rearrests for general and violent offenses were obtained through 2018. Variables with established relationships to recidivism (e.g., commitment category, mental health diagnoses, lengths of stay) were included. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, Cox regression, and logistic regression, were conducted to compare recidivism rates and identify significant predictors.
Results
CONREP-treated patients demonstrated dramatically lower fixed recidivism rates at 1, 3, and 5 years compared with directly discharged patients. Direct discharge was associated with up to a sevenfold increased likelihood of rearrest within 1 year. The median time to rearrest was 400 days for directly discharged patients versus 500 days for CONREP patients (p < .004). Logistic regression revealed that direct discharge, younger age, and a higher number of state hospital commitments were significant predictors of rearrest.
Conclusions
Structured, court-supervised community treatment via CONREP substantially reduces recidivism among forensic patients, promoting safer community reintegration and improved outcomes. These findings support expanding CONREP services to enhance public safety and patient rehabilitation.
Recommend this
Email your librarian or administrator to recommend adding this to your organisation's collection.