Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic psychiatry is a truly multidisciplinary medical speciality. It is based on detailed knowledge of psychiatric medicine and law.
Forensic psychiatry is a truly multidisciplinary medical speciality. It is based on detailed knowledge of psychiatric medicine, rehabilitative psychology, criminology, and criminal and civil justice systems. Its purpose is the assessment and treatment of mentally disordered offenders and others requiring similar services, and the prevention of future victimization and criminal recidivism. Forensic psychiatric expertise can be utilized not only in special forensic units, such as high-security hospitals and forensic out-patient clinics, but also within the prison system, particularly when planning and implementing rehabilitation programs and prison mental healthcare services. Forensic patients are among the most marginalized people in any given society. Decision-makers within psychiatric, judicial and penal systems know from experience that mentally ill offenders require specialist knowledge and services within psychiatry and legislation. Shortcomings in this area result in excess suffering, disruption, physical harm and financial burden.
Thus, most countries have established a structure for placing and treating mentally ill offenders in specialized facilities and services, either as a specialized sector within the healthcare system or more or less integrated into the overall scheme of psychiatric care. In some countries forensic psychiatry is organized as part of the prison mental health care services. However, concepts, models, specialized services and quality of care differ widely. In many countries forensic psychiatry is still in its initial stages and poses an ongoing challenge for the healthcare and juridical systems and society in general.