A halfway house for mentally ill offenders

Abstract

The authors describe the resocialization of recovering mentally ill male offenders through the halfway house program to which they were released. A number of guiding principles are discussed in connection with the care of this high-risk population. Partial residence for those about tp be discharged from the hospital was one feature of the program. Evaluation of the program after three years showed a lower than average rate of recidivism and relatively low operating costs; in addition, it appeared that predictions regarding possible dangerousness can be made with greater confidence when halfway house residence is part of the treatment plan for this type of population.