NCJ Number
227094
Date Published
2009
Length
244 pages
Annotation
In providing an introduction to the field of forensic mental health, this book discusses key concepts in this field and how the discipline functions in the broader context of criminal justice and mental health systems in England and Wales.
Abstract
The introductory chapter presents background information on the agencies, procedures, and legislation which guide the management of offenders in the criminal justice system. Against this background, the subsequent chapters describe in greater detail the major issues in forensic mental health. These issues include the nature of psychiatric disorders, how they are linked with offending, and how mental disorders influence criminal justice processing. Some of the chapters discuss the services for mentally disordered offenders and specific methods for treating them. Other chapters discuss pathways for such offenders to exit the criminal justice and forensic mental health systems and re-enter the community. The introductory chapter is followed by a chapter on mental disorders in general and the specific types of mental disorders likely to be linked to violations of criminal laws. The third chapter identifies and describes the various stages of criminal justice processing that lead to the identification of mentally ill offenders and their subsequent management by the forensic mental health system. A separate chapter describes forensic mental health services in prison, secure hospitals, and the community. The functions of the multidisciplinary forensic mental health team are discussed in another chapter. Remaining chapters focus on risk assessment, treatments in prison and probation services, treatments in mental health settings, and patients' rights and advocacy intended to facilitate the transition from the criminal justice system and forensic mental health systems into the community. Approximately 350 references and a subject index