How changes in mental health law adversely affect offenders discharged from a security hospital

Abstract
Serious violent crime relapses (murder, homicide, aggravated assault) of 305 discharged offender patients between 1978 and 1990 were studied. The relapse rate in Finland was found to have dramatically increased. The abolition of monitored conditional release may be the reason for the increase. The typical features of 16 violent patients were determined and analysed.