Abstract
This evidence-based opinion piece explores the totalising risk averse nature of secure and forensic mental health services and associated iatrogenic harms in England and Wales. Drawing on the research literature I consider the various influences, both external and internal which impact on the provision of such services and how both the therapeutic alliance and recovery potential for patients may be improved. Especial attention is paid to the deployment of restrictive practise, practitioner attitudes, the potential for non-thinking, and how these may impact on decision-making and the care and treatment of mentally disordered offenders.
Highlights
This evidence-based opinion piece explores the totalising risk averse nature of secure and forensic mental health services and associated iatrogenic harms in England and Wales
Forensic psychiatry can be framed as operationalising a system of social control in which individuals with the mentally disordered offender label are stratified according to the risk they are perceived to present to others in high, medium and low secure mental health settings [12]
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in the United Kingdom (UK) has identified the core competencies and advanced nursing practises for mental health nurses working with mentally disordered offenders [28]
Summary
This evidence-based opinion piece explores the totalising risk averse nature of secure and forensic mental health services and associated iatrogenic harms in England and Wales. Drawing on the research literature I consider the various influences, both external and internal which impact on the provision of such services and how both the therapeutic alliance and recovery potential for patients may be improved. Especial attention is paid to the deployment of restrictive practise, practitioner attitudes, the potential for non-thinking, and how these may impact on decision-making and the care and treatment of mentally disordered offenders. Reviewed by: Frances Louise Dark, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, Australia Marije E. Specialty section: This article was submitted to Forensic Psychiatry, a section of the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
