The report provides information about patients subjected to a restriction order (restricted patients) admitted to, detained in, or discharged from hospitals. The number hospitalized at the end of 1999 was 2,857, which was 4 percent more than the previous year. The number admitted under hospital orders rose from 248 in 1998 to 253 in 1999, while the number recalled to hospital increased from 74 to 84. The number transferred from prison to hospital increased from 740 in 1998 to 742 in 1999. The total number admitted to hospitals was 1,113 in 1999. This was 22 (or 2 percent) more than the previous year and just below the peak of 1,117 in 1994. The number of restricted patients released into the community was 310 in 1999, 39 fewer (down 11 percent) than the previous year. The proportion of female patients remained relatively stable between 1989 and 1999, accounting for between 11 and 12 percent of the population in each year. The number of restricted patients in high security hospitals increased by less than 1 percent between 1998 and 1999 to 1,193. Figures, tables, notes, references