ABSTRACT
In previous chapters I have dealt with offenders and offender-patients, the majority of whom have committed serious offences against persons or property. This chapter is concerned mainly with some practical steps that can be taken to limit the risk of such offenders committing acts of further mayhem whilst living in the community under supervision. There are, of course, instances where an individual who has no previous history of serious offences against persons or property suddenly embarks upon such behaviour. Sometimes, with hindsight, we can see that the warning signs may have been missed. Although this chapter is concerned mainly with the commission of criminal offences, it is worthwhile remembering that there are instances in which actions may fall short of the criminal (but have an equally lethal potential), for example the case of the wife or partner being held hostage in her own home by a husband or partner who has disobeyed civil court injunctions to leave her alone. The thrust of this chapter is thrown into sharper relief by the requirements of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 to have regard to the assessment of risk in sentencing (notably in cases relating to violence and sex) and by current central government concerns about the need to have adequate supervision for a very small group of psychiatrically ill persons who may commit violent acts because of their illness (see for example, Boyd, 1994; Department of Health, 1994; Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1991; MacCulloch et al. 1993).
