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A call for more program evaluation of forensic outpatient clinics: the need to improve effectiveness.

Reducing recidivism in violent offenders, whether or not they have an Axis I DSM-IV diagnosis, is a topic of great concern in our society today. There are a growing number of outpatient forensic mental health facilities in the United States that have the responsibility to treat this population. Given the limited public funds that are appropriated for this treatment, it is crucial not only to treat these persons with a view toward reducing further violent behavior but also to evaluate the treatment’s effectiveness as it affects both the client and the community. 1 Too often, however, program evaluation is not conducted. The purpose of this article is to show the value of program evaluation by giving an example of an independent evaluation of a forensic outpatient clinic. In an effort to increase the clinic’s effectiveness, we assessed the treatment at this clinic, determined the outcome of the clinic’s treatment, and developed recommendations consistent with the literature on the treatment of violent offenders. This article grew out of the desire of a state department of corrections to conduct an independent evaluation of the treatment of violent offenders at a parole mental health outpatient clinic (PMHOC) under its jurisdiction, located in a large metropolitan city. This evaluation did not stem from any perceived problems in this clinic but was simply a desire on the part of the department to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.