Identifying offenders with an intellectual disability in detention in The Netherlands

Item does not contain fulltextPurpose – The Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency has commissioned a number of research projects on offenders with intellectual disabilities (ID) in prison. A continuing problem has been that it is not known what the prevalence of ID in Dutch prisons is, and how to identify ID in individual detainees. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – With this in mind a screening instrument (screener for learning disabilities and intelligence (SCIL)) has been developed that screens for IQ < 85. This instrument has been piloted in four different penitentiary institutes. Findings – The papers briefly describes the results of the studies preceding the pilot before turning to the pilot itself. The pilot shed light on what considerations need to be taken into account when implement screening for ID in the current prison system, and on the potential added value for prison staff of knowing whether a detainee possibly has an ID. In addition, the pilot gave some insight into the characteristics of Dutch prisoners. Originality/value – The main conclusion is that the SCIL can be successfully implemented within these settings, provided that sufficient attention is being paid to the advance instructions to staff and to the introduction of the screening to the detainees

SCIL handleiding: Screener voor intelligentie en licht verstandelijke beperking voor volwassenen (SCIL 18+) en jongeren van 14 tot en met 17 jaar (SCIL 14-17) (2nd ed.)

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Development and testing of a Screener for Intelligence and Learning Disabilities (SCIL)

Item does not contain fulltextBackground: Many clients in contact with social services and (mental) health care have mild to borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID). Yet, administering a full intelligence test may not be feasible. Method: In 318 adults and 305 juveniles, the scores on 14 questions that comprise the screener for intelligence and learning disabilities (SCIL) were analysed in relation to the IQs of the participants. Results: The SCIL score had good predictive validity for detecting MBID in adults (AUC = 0.93). A cut-off score of 19 or lower is recommended to detect (a suspicion of) MBID. Test-retest reliability of the SCIL was 0.92. In juveniles, AUC values were 0.91 for 16- to 17-year-olds, 0.90 for 14- to 15-year-olds and 0.83 for 12- to 13-year-olds. Conclusions: The SCIL appears to be a time-efficient tool for screening for MBID in adults (18+) and juveniles of 14 years or older.9 p

Characteristics of aggression in a German psychiatric hospital and predictors of patients at risk

KETELSEN R, ZECHERT C, Driessen M, SCHULZ M. Characteristics of aggression in a German psychiatric hospital and predictors of patients at risk. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 2007;14(1):92-99.This study investigated the aggressive behaviour of all mentally ill patients within a whole psychiatric hospital with a catchment area of 325 000 inhabitants over a 1-year period (i) to assess the 1-year prevalence and characteristics of aggressive episodes and index inpatients, and (ii) to identify predictors of patients at risk by a multivariate approach. Staff Observation of Aggression Scale was used to assess aggressive behaviour. Characteristics of index inpatients were compared with those of non-index inpatients. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify risk factors. A total of 171 out of 2210 admitted patients (7.7%) exhibited 441 aggressive incidents (1.7 incidents per bed per year). Logistic regression analyses revealed as major risk factors of aggression: diagnoses (organic brain syndromes OR = 3.6, schizophrenia OR = 2.9), poor psychosocial living conditions (OR = 2.2), and critical behaviour leading to involuntary admission (OR = 3.3). Predictors of aggressive behaviour can be useful to identify inpatients at risk. Nevertheless, additional situational determinants have to be recognized. Training for professionals should include preventive and de-escalating strategies to reduce the incidence of aggressive behaviour in psychiatric hospitals. The application of de-escalating interventions prior to admission might be effective in preventing aggressive behaviour during inpatient treatment especially for patients with severe mental disorders

Evaluation of the Dutch neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia

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