Subordinated masculinities: A critical inquiry into reproduction of gender norms in handovers and rounds in a forensic psychiatric care

IntroductionForensic psychiatric care is aimed at improving mental health and reducing the risk of recidivism of mentally ill offenders. For some mentally disordered offenders long forensic psychiatric care is required. Due to different legal framework, policies and resources in member countries, treatment programs and care provided for these subjects may vary substantially across Europe.ObjectivesCOST Action IS1302, a EU project aimed at establishing a European network of researchers, clinicians and service providers about long-term forensic psychiatric care, has involved nineteen European countries for 2013 to set the basis for comparative evaluation and research on effective treatment and the development of best practice in long-term forensic psychiatry in Europe.MethodIt is constituted by three main areas of interest and research. One group works on determination of patient characteristics, looking into prevalence, duration of stay and the most determinant characteristics of long term patients. The second area of research aims at obtaining better understanding of complex external factors that influence the poor progress of patients residing for an above average time in forensic services. Third group of research focuses on knowledge about specific needs brought about by psychiatric symptoms and how these specific needs might optimize the quality of life of patients in long term forensic psychiatric care.Results/conclusionsLaunched four years ago, the action is at its last of activities. We display features, activities and data emerging from the research conducted so far.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Download Full-text

A plea against over specialisation in forensic psychiatry

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.16.7.439 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 439-442 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eric F. Mendelson

Keyword(s):

Forensic Psychiatry ◽

Psychiatric Care ◽

Early Stage ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Integrated System ◽

Forensic Patients ◽

Secure Care ◽

Regional Service ◽

Forensic Psychiatric ◽

Special Responsibility

The optimal system for delivering forensic psychiatric care has yet to be established. At an early stage, Gunn (1977) drew attention to the differing models of a ‘parallel’ service and an ‘integrated’ approach. Only with the integrated system do forensic patients pass to ordinary NHS facilities when they no longer require security or other specialist expertise. The debate can be extended into whether forensic services should be provided by regional units, by district services, or by a mixture of both. Indeed, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (1988) recognised that in addition to a regional service led by a fully trained forensic psychiatrist, secure care can be provided at a district level by consultants who have sufficient training to hold posts with a special responsibility. Furthermore, managers are understandably keen for as much as possible to be provided by their own district services.

Download Full-text

Sociodemographic Information, Aversive and Traumatic Events, Offence-Related Characteristics, and Mental Health of Delinquent Women in Forensic-Psychiatric Care in Switzerland

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology ◽

10.1177/0306624x17749638 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (12) ◽

pp. 3815-3833 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sandy Krammer ◽

Hedwig Eisenbarth ◽

Carole Fallegger ◽

Michael Liebrenz ◽

Dorothee Klecha

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychiatric Care ◽

Psychiatric Service ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

International Classification Of Diseases ◽

Future Research ◽

Female Prisoners ◽

Research Areas ◽

Icd 10 ◽

Forensic Psychiatric

The present study describes a much understudied group—namely, female prisoners under forensic-psychiatric care in the German-speaking part of Switzerland—to improve understanding of their risks and their needs. Data were derived from internal databases of a Forensic-Psychiatric Service. Data were collected in the form of their sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence of aversive and traumatic events, type of offence committed, and mental health conditions. Based on a full-sample approach, a total of 1,571 files were analysed. Results reveal that two thirds of the participants were not in a stable relationship, more than half did not complete a school degree, and three quarters were without stable employment prior to their incarceration. Two thirds were mothers and about one third did not grow up with their parents. Almost half grew up with an alcohol abusing parent, about half experienced violence and/or neglect in childhood, and about a quarter of the cases sexual abuse. About 95% had a mental health diagnosis according to International Classification of Diseases–Version 10 (ICD-10), and the most prevalent mental and behavioural disorder was due to psychoactive substance abuse. The most frequent offence type was drug-related crimes. Women convicted for drug-related crimes were more likely to have an ICD-10 F1 disorder compared with those convicted for other crimes. Conversely, women with violent offences were less likely to suffer from ICD-10 F1 disorder than those who had committed nonviolent offences. Findings have implications for practitioners and policy makers, and contribute to the cycle of violence theory discussion. In conclusion, future research areas are suggested.

Download Full-text