Prof. Olav Nielssen1
1Level 8, Australia
Biography:
Dr Nielssen is a psychiatrist with appointments at St Vincents Hospital in Sydney, Macquarie University and Matthew Talbot Hostel Clinic
Abstract:
Background: Homeless populations are over-represented in the criminal justice system
Aims: To describe the type of criminal offences committed, court outcomes, identify predictors of reoffending, and estimate the criminal justice costs generated by a cohort of homeless hostel clinic attendees.
Method: Retrospective cohort study of 1,646 people who attended a homeless clinic and had contact with the criminal justice system in New South Wales using linked clinic, criminal offence, health, and mortality data during 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2021. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of recidivism.
Results: There were 16,840 principal offences, with an offence rate of 87.8 per 100 person-years, with acts intended to cause injury (22.4%), illicit drug (16.8%) and theft-related (12.3%) offences as the most common. Most (82.6%) were found guilty, but mental health verdicts were common. Total court costs were AUD $11.3 million. Most (75.3%) reoffended within 24 months. Predictors were younger age, a diagnosis of personality disorder, substance use disorder, and to have a previous charged dismissed on mental health grounds. Reoffenders had a 1.8 times higher likelihood of having theft-related offences as their principal index offence.
Conclusions: The finding of a high rate of criminal justice contact, and a high rate of recidivism among people who have been homeless, lends support to strategies to both address the root causes of homelessness, and for a comprehensive systems-based response to reduce recidivism, that includes secure housing as well as mental health and substance use treatment programs for homeless offenders.