Gender differences in reoffending after discharge frommedium-secure units: National cohort study in England and Wales

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that there are gender differences inreoffending after discharge from medium-secure units, but these have notbeen adequately explained.AimsTo investigate gender differences in reoffending after discharge frommedium-secure psychiatric units.MethodAll people discharged from medium-secure units in England and Walesbetween April 1997 and March 1998 were followed up for 1 year(n=959; 12% women). Reoffending was estimated bycollecting reconviction data from the Home Office's Offenders' Index orfrom files at the mental health unit up to 2 years after discharge.ResultsWomen were less likely than men to be reconvicted within 2 years ofdischarge (9% v. 16%, OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.25 – 0.98).Adjustments for history of self-harm, drug or alcohol problems andprevious offending substantially reduced the gender difference. In thefull model the OR was 0.97 (95% CI 0.45–2.12).ConclusionsSome or all of the gender differences in reoffending between men andwomen are explained by self-harm, alcohol and drug problems and previouscriminal history.