Community DSPD pilot services in South London: rates of reconviction and impact of supported housing on reducing recidivism

Background: The effectiveness of community services in reducing recidivism by men in the ‘dangerous and severe personality disorder’ framework – with personality disorder and at high risk of recidivism – is unknown.

Aims: To conduct a preliminary examination of the characteristics and reconviction rates of male offenders with personality disorder accessing two South London community dangerous and severe personality disorder pilot outpatient services and to evaluate
the role of supported housing for them.

Methods: Reoffending outcomes of 107 high risk offenders with personality disorder were assessed using a cross-sectional cohort study design. Participants were allocated to outpatient only (non-residential) or outpatient with supported housing groups. Self reported, collateral and criminal justice data and Offender Group Reconviction Scale III predictors of reoffending were used to describe the samples.

Results: The overall reconviction rate over the entire study period was 11%. At 12 months following acceptance to the service, reoffending for the entire sample was significantly lower (5%) than mean Offender Group Reconviction Scale III scores predicted (51%). Multivariate analyses confirmed that those also in receipt of supportive housing were significantly less likely to reoffend than those without. Although there was no difference between groups in violent reconviction specifically, only five men in total
reoffended violently.

Conclusions: Although findings appear promising, this was a naturalistic study. The sample size was small, but represented all men accepted into the two pilot services. Further evaluation of the role of supported housing and perhaps other details of community
supervision should follow.