Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this ex post facto correlation research was to (a) determine the relationship between the recidivism rates among the mentally ill population Penal Code (PC) 1370, inmate; (b) determine why the rate continues to rise; (c) determine the fiscal impact of the challenges facing the state facilities in light of legislative changes (Sell Decision) and (Senate Bill SB-1794); and (d) determine how the recidivism rate affects the success of their programs. Theoretical framework. A literature review was conducted to position the study within the lager field of studies as well as to develop an organizational climate research model to determine how the lack of interagency collaboration adds to the problem. Methodology. Literature suggests various reasons for the rise in the recidivism rate of incarcerated mentally ill inmates. The researcher used a case study of secondary data analysis. The data was collected from various sources, Department of Justice Statistics, California Department of Corrections, California Department of Mental Health, and Forensic State Hospitals. The use of a transportation-movement sheet from a forensic state hospital in Southern California was used to determine the number of patients with hospital prior (HP) history, and was used as the running log of the readmissions. The results were examined and analyzed to determine if there was a correlation between changes in legislation, readmission, and cost. The setting was a 1,300-bed, coed state operated forensic psychiatric state hospital in Southern California. The subjects were Penal Code (PC) 1370 readmissions who have been committed by the judicial system and transferred from the prison environment to the forensic psychiatric state hospital for intensive treatment for maladaptive behaviors. The fiscal year 2002/2003 indicated an expense of $141,000.00 per year per patient. There are limited studies that use only PC 1370 offenders from a prison/forensic state hospital environment that addresses any correlation between the financial impacts of the recidivism rate. This study will add to the general body of knowledge within the forensic settings and the state of California fiscal administration.