Systematic review of forensic mental health patients on conditional discharge: Part One -- Quantitative findings, methodology, limitations and future research

Kilbane, Sarah; Zamorano, Maria; Romero, Alison; Jordan, Mel; Jack, Dr; Kilbane, Sarah

Abstract

This paper describes the quantitative findings of a systematic literature review of research on patients on conditional discharge from forensic mental health services in England and Wales (part one of two). Conditional discharge is a frequently used discharge option which allows forensic patients to receive care within the community, while subject to certain restrictions. In total, 23 quantitative and five mixed-methods studies were included. A synthesis of the quantitative findings identified factors associated with recall and recidivism, as well as positive outcomes for patients. Patients on conditional discharge showed lower violence and recidivism rates compared to those on absolute discharge. We develop hypothesized causal links between predictors and patient outcomes using a novel method of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). The methods of this review, implications of findings, and directions for further research are discussed.

Citation

Kilbane, S., Zamorano, M., Romero, A., Jordan, M., Jack, D., & Kilbane, S. (in press). Systematic review of forensic mental health patients on conditional discharge: Part One -- Quantitative findings, methodology, limitations and future research. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 24, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jul 3, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 3, 2025
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
• Print ISSN: 0306-624X
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-6933
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/51054693