Female admissions to a regional secure unit

Abstract

Abstract The role of regional secure units in the care of mentally disordered women has received little attention. This article addresses the subject by examining admission characteristics of women admitted to such a facility. A number of important differences between the male and female admissions to the unit emerged. Possible reasons for these differences are explored. The typical female admission to the regional secure unit was a young personality disordered woman with a long history of deliberate self-harm and alcohol abuse. In contrast to the males, psychosis was not the predominant diagnosis. Compared to males in the unit, females were less violent, but more prone to arson and often had previous convictions for minor criminal damage. Females had fewer admissions to penal and NHS institutions than males. A history of childhood sexual abuse was not uncommon. The suitability of a regional secure unit for such patients is discussed