1 Butler R. Report of the Committee on Mentally Abnormal Offenders. London: HMSO, 1975.

2 Murphy E, Coid J, Boa W. Security Cheques. Health Service J 1997; 107(5535): 28-29.

3 Rooney J, Bates A, Jones C, McCourt M. North Wales Forensic Service Report (unpublished), 1997.

James Rooney, deputy director of nursing practice and quality at Rampton Hospital, was formerly clinical services manager, North Wales forensic psychiatric services.