Abstract Evaluating the credibility of the respondent’s cognitive and psychological complaints is a core component of forensic mental health assessment. The Inventory of Problems-29 (IOP-29) and a new IOP-Memory module (IOP-M) are designed specifically for that purpose. Initial research suggests that they might provide practitioners with a quick and thus potentially efficient check of an examinee’s

Abstract The use of structured risk assessment instruments (SRAIs) has increased significantly over the past decades, with research documenting variation between countries. The use of SRAIs, their perceived utility and potential for mitigating bias in forensic risk evaluations (FREs) was investigated in a survey of Dutch forensic mental health practitioners (N = 110) We found generally positive views

Abstract In an Australian survey of male and female adult prisoners (N = 1,132), two approaches to identifying mental health problems (symptom screening and self-reported psychiatric history) were compared. A higher proportion of women (77.7%) than men (61.8%) reported a prior diagnosis of at least one disorder. Almost half (49.8%) screened positive for current symptoms of mental illness. The proportion

Abstract The bivariate, empirical association between psychopathic personality disorder (PPD) and violence has been well established. Yet, questions remain about how to explain why this association occurs. To address this conceptual gap, we presented a review of theories of violence related to PPD. Next a conceptual analysis of how psychopathic traits may influence violent decisions was conducted.

Abstract Violence risk assessment is an essential component of forensic mental health services designed to help mitigate and manage the re-occurrence of violence. Although there is large body of evidence supporting structured risk assessments, there is no empirical evidence regarding scenario planning—a specific component of the structured professional judgment approach to violence risk assessment

Abstract The present study describes the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) full scale IQ (FIQ) of admissions to one UK High Secure Psychiatric Care hospital. WAIS IV comparative data and the FIQ of admissions from the 1960s to the 2010s are presented (n = 639). Results suggest 75% of current admissions have FIQs within the ‘low average’ and ‘extremely low’ classifications, with significant discrepancies

Abstract Offenders and persons with serious mental illness experience disproportionate exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This study examines prevalence, distribution, and correlates of ACEs in 182 male and female forensic psychiatric inpatients in secure care. Descriptive statistics, chi-squares analysis, ANOVA, and logistic regression were used to describe ACEs by race and gender and

Abstract The Trinitarian model of therapeutic security is used to organize forensic mental health care in Ireland, England and Scotland. However, it remains unclear whether this model captures all significant factors for the organization of forensic mental health care delivery. In this case study, the Trinitarian model is applied to and tested on Belgian forensic mental health services. Relational

Abstract Restrictive practices are often harmful and many academics, policy-makers and clinicians agree that their use should be reduced in care settings. Specific focus on secure mental health services is warranted because restrictive practices are often seen as an integral part of forensic psychiatry but have received limited research attention relative to other areas of psychiatric practice. The

Abstract International literature suggests that forensic care is best organized by independent security levels with appropriate infrastructure, procedures, and therapeutic goals. However, resources are not always sufficient to allow for organizing this way. We describe the functioning of a medium-security unit (MSU) where we not only rehabilitate forensic patients for their transition from prison to

Abstract The risk and protective factors in a sample of 224 Singaporean youths who have engaged in violence are investigated using the SAVRY the VRS-YV, and the SAPROF-YV. Youths in the early and middle stages of adolescence exhibited more risk factors and fewer protective factors than late stage adolescents. This may be due to cultural and societal influences as well as maturation processes which

Abstract Research has identified positive relationships between familial support and outcomes for forensic mental health patients. Such support has been linked to reduced recidivism, improved mental health and increased prosocial behavior. Whilst some studies have explored families’ experiences of providing such support, there is a paucity of research exploring patients’ narratives. Using Interpretative

Abstract Objective Connectedness is placed at the heart of the recovery process in mental health care. However, in regard to persons labeled not criminally responsible (NCR), considerations of recovery and connectedness remain in the background. The aim of this study is to understand and explore how individuals labeled not criminally responsible experience connectedness. Research method Sixty-seven

Abstract Prisons in Mexico, like other countries, struggle to house and effectively treat individuals with mental illness. This study on 194 male Mexican prisoners managing mental disorders aims to 1) explore what mental health symptomology is associated with self-stigma and 2) identify what mental health symptomology predicts increased self-stigma. Results found that depression, mania, and anger significantly

Abstract Perceived credibility of social media data (i.e., a Twitter post) was compared to more traditional collateral sources in criminal responsibility evaluations using independent samples of laypersons and forensic experts. Overall, results suggested greater skepticism toward social media relative to two other sources, particularly when information suggested a mental illness. Both samples, however

Abstract The purpose of this secondary analysis of an archival sample of 100 Canadian men remanded for evaluations of fitness to stand trial was to investigate the relationships among fitness, competence to make treatment decisions, and psychosis. As hypothesized, competence to make treatment decisions was more often impaired in those with impaired fitness. Among unfit defendants, a diagnosis of a

Abstract We describe and reflect upon the process of setting up participatory action research (PAR) with a group of men resident on a personality assessment and treatment service in a medium security prison for male offenders. The service is part of the national offender personality disorder (OPD) pathway, a joint initiative between the National Health Service England and Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation

Abstract The purpose of this study was three-fold: determine whether scores on the Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form (LCSF), a recidivism and re-offense risk assessment procedure, predict future criminal and drug use outcomes in substance abusing parolees, verify whether LCSF-defined risk identifies parolees likely to benefit from a case management strengths program, and ascertain whether the LCSF

Abstract The present study aimed to examine the underlying mechanisms of why partners of detainees remain in their relationships and whether this mechanism is associated with the number of monthly visits made to the imprisoned partner. The Investment Model Scale was used to assess: commitment, relationship satisfaction, relationship alternatives, and relationship investments in a sample of one hundred

Abstract Risk assessment instruments are an important tool for assessing an offender’s risk of recidivism. However, concerns have been raised regarding their applicability to different cultural groups, and it has been suggested that rater cultural bias may affect assessment. This study explored whether rater cultural bias impacted upon the scoring of the YLS/CMI-SRV and rater perceptions of offenders

Abstract The limited research concerning trauma secondary to committing crime in justice-involved persons has been restricted to male forensic psychiatric and violent offender populations. We aimed to extend this by examining justice-involved persons’ memories about their crimes, and exploring factors involved in intrusive memories across offence types. One hundred justice-involved adult males completed

Abstract Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, are overrepresented in criminal justice settings and have complex, forensically relevant clinical needs. This study surveyed 81 forensic clinicians recruited via international professional association listserv postings and social media about their assessment and intervention

Abstract In the course of the present study 445 users of zoophilia forums were asked to complete an online survey measuring social anxiety, self-esteem and empathy. Comparisons between the recruited sample and existing classifications of zoophilia demonstrated that only about a half of the sample (51.5%) stated engaging in sexual activity with animals by answering detailed questions about the nature

Abstract While Indigenous peoples account for a small portion of the Canadian population, they are overrepresented in the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Research and case law suggest culture should always be considered in violence risk assessments (VRAs), but it is unknown whether this recommendation is followed. The present study examined the role of Indigenous versus non-Indigenous culture in

Abstract This study adds to the understanding of why some adolescent boys react to unfair situations with anger and aggression, whereas others do not. We used an experimental design to test whether early maladaptive schemas influence the causal links between perceived injustice, negative affect, and aggression. Thirty-seven adolescent boys (13–18 years old; participation rate 67%) with severe behavior

Abstract Gender differences in self-reported attachment styles of 18 individuals who had committed filicide were examined. Insecure attachment styles (avoidant and/or anxious-ambivalent) to primary caregivers were particularly common among males. Almost all experienced insecure romantic attachment. Partial support for insecure attachment continuity (childhood to adulthood), particularly among men,

Abstract A pragmatic solution for the provision of care for prisoners with serious mental illness, who are often subject to delays in hospital transfer, is the creation of specialist prison units. This paper analyses the development of a prison unit in England for prisoners with ‘serious mental illness’. The unit was developed within over-lapping health and justice contexts, including expectations

Abstract Despite the prevalence of mental disorder among firesetters, there is limited empirical research on how firesetting manifests in people with different psychiatric conditions. In this study, classification methodology was used to explore different types of firesetting committed by people with mental disorders. Associations between motives, diagnoses, situational, and behavioral variables were

Abstract Coinciding with mass population movement of migrants into Europe, populations of those incarcerated and detained in prisons and immigration detention settings have diversified significantly. A scoping review mapped and described extant literature on migrant health experience and unique support needs in these settings. Fifteen records fulfilled inclusion criteria and indicated that migrants

Abstract Foreign-born migrants are at elevated risk for developing serious forms of mental illness, and are over-represented in criminal justice and forensic mental health settings. This study compares the clinical characteristics of forced (n = 60) and voluntary (n = 226) migrant patients in a Canadian forensic service to native-born patients (n = 234), and contrasts regions of birth represented in

Abstract Understanding the correlates of fitness to stand trial is essential to undertaking efficient, evidence-based assessments. We retrospectively analyzed 248 fitness assessment reports pertaining to 115 defendants in Victoria, Australia. Cognitive disorders (e.g., intellectual disability, brain injury) were the strongest predictor of unfitness whereas psychosis was unrelated. Psychiatrists authored

Abstract While eHealth technologies such as web-based interventions, mobile apps, and virtual reality have the potential to be of added value for forensic mental healthcare, there is a gap between this potential and the current situation in practice. The goal of this study was to identify recommendations to bridge this gap. In total, 21 semi-structured interviews and 89 questionnaires were conducted

Abstract The prediction of sexual violence recidivism is an important societal concern and has been the frequent subject of psychological research. Although research has supported the use of the MMPI-2-RF in violence risk assessment, there is a paucity of research related to sexual violence risk assessment. The present study evaluated the convergent validity of the MMPI-2-RF with measures used in sexual

Abstract In a 25-year Australian cohort of men and women found Not Guilty by reason of Mental Illness (NGMI forensic patients; N = 477), we aimed to: establish the sociodemographic, clinical and forensic characteristics of the sample, comparing men and women; to establish rates of post-release reoffending, including for men and women separately; and to test associations between individual characteristics

Abstract One of the main rationales for the separation of the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems, is the need to protect young people from victimization. It is assumed that, by separating adolescents from adults, the risk of victimization in the former system will be reduced. However, there is still global scarcity of comparative data on the experience of victimization among youth processed

Abstract The present research aims to establish the predictive validity of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) in a Singaporean sample with mood and psychotic disorders. Its clinical utility was compared against other performance validity tests: Dot Counting Test (DCT), Rey 15-Item Memory Test II (Rey II), Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT), Nonverbal Medical Symptom Validity Test (NV-MSVT), Word

Abstract This study identified factors that predicted which of 713 clinically documented incidents of aggression—threats to kill, assault, or sexual assault—committed by 404 forensic psychiatric patients were linked to court findings of guilt. Individuals had, on average, 1.7 aggressive incidents and were found guilty of an average of 0.3 offenses against persons during the study period. Aggressive

Abstract This paper presents an in-depth interview study with individuals who are at the same time patients in forensic psychiatric services, and parties in recurring mental health law proceedings (MHLPs). While previous studies have highlighted issues with the rule of law that can arise when MHLPs prioritize concern for the mental health of the patient over the stringent test of the legal rights of

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe and explain the prevalence and reasons for as needed medication (pro re nata, PRN) in a forensic psychiatric hospital. We reviewed the documents of 67 long-term inpatients (87% male) over the one-year study period and identified 8626 PRN events. Virtually all of the patients received PRN for physical reasons, just over half for psychiatric reasons, and

Abstract This study tested current perceived social support (CPSS) as a moderator of the relation between previous substance use (PSU) and lifetime suicide attempt (SA) history among 200 NGRI inpatients. Results indicated no significant CPSS main effect. PSU was associated with greater odds of multiple prior lifetime SA. Moderation indicated those low in PSU but high in CPSS were least likely to report

An effective implementation approach is crucial for successful integration of structured risk assessment instruments into practice. This qualitative study explored barriers and facilitators to the ...

Abstract The high prevalence of mental health problems in prisons is well established and there are ongoing challenges to mental health care and service provision. The aim of this research was to identify practice that was working well and where there was scope for improvement. Forty-two independent inspectorate reports on conditions for and treatment of people across all seven categories of prison

Abstract In the Czech Republic, Forensic Treatment (FT) services consist of inpatient protective treatment (PT), outpatients treatment and secure detention (SD). Currently, there are 13 facilities providing inpatient PT; 386 clinics providing outpatient treatment and 2 SD. 950 patients receive inpatient and 2,300 outpatient treatment. 85 patients are currently in SD. Czech psychiatric care reform aims

Abstract This study examined the psychometric properties of the MacArthur Community Violence Screening Instrument (MCVSI) in a heterogeneous and integrated sample of adults with mental illness (n = 4,480), including its factor structure, model fit, and psychometric properties as a function of patient sex, race, and primary diagnosis. Factor structure results indicate a unidimensional construct. Item-level

Abstract With the aim of identifying avenues for targeted implementation of trauma-informed care in correctional contexts, this study engaged in a secondary data analysis to examine comorbidity patterns in the mental health difficulties of incarcerated women. Latent class analysis was conducted using nine indicators of mental health, and indicated the sample (N = 2553) was best represented by four

Abstract The ability to predict the likelihood of violent behavior is an important task that is not constrained by cultures, borders, or geographic regions. This qualitative study analyzed 15 semi-structured interviews with forensic professionals to understand violence risk assessment (VRA) processes and procedures in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. Participants reported a range of procedures for

Abstract In the past decade, forensic case formulation (FCF) has become a key activity in many forensic services. However, the evidence base for FCF remains limited. This integrative review aimed to identify and evaluate all FCF research conducted since the lack of understanding within this field was highlighted by several academics in 2011. A rigorous literature search led to the identification of

Abstract Insecure attachment and deficits in mentalizing have been consistently found to be correlated with increased delinquency, conduct disorder and antisocial behaviors. This has been explained by a distancing from the other’s needs and feelings or by an incapacity to consider the effects of one’s behaviors on others. The current study is the first to investigate the association between attachment

Abstract Variables conceptualized as strengths are theoretically important for the management of recidivism risk among juveniles and adults. Although measures of strengths are related to recidivism outcomes, little is known about whether these factors may vary in prevalence or predictive validity across age. We examined the predictive validity of strengths among male parolees supervised within community

Abstract Seclusion is a restrictive practice used to protect the person or others from harm, however can result in trauma-related harm. While interventions to reduce seclusion have been successful, use in forensic mental health remains high. This integrative review aims to explore factors associated with the duration and frequency of seclusion in forensic mental health settings and determine sex differences

Abstract Forensic inpatients who experience hallucinations and delusions present with complex clinical needs, which can be exacerbated through additional individual difficulties and disabilities impacting responsivity. Experiences of hallucinations and delusions are shaped by the individual’s context and culture; however, to date this has not been explored with regards to the experience of deaf persons

Abstract Prior research has focused on the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI), psychosis, and threat/control-override (TCO) on violent behavior. There is, however, a lack of research exploring the potential connection between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and TCO. This study is designed to partially address this gap in the literature. To do so, a sample of delinquent youths followed to early adulthood

abstract There are few studies of stalking recidivism and none examining risk factors for recidivistic stalking of the same victim versus a different victim. Data from 70 clients of Dutch community forensic mental health clinics was used to investigate the prevalence of stalking recidivism, risk factors, and any potential protective effect of psychological treatment. Over 50% were again reported to

abstract Intimate partner violence (IPV) offenders were clinically assessed for ADHD, other psychiatric diagnoses, and frequency of different types of IPV. Of the 347 participants (16.4% women), n = 210 (61%) were clinically diagnosed with ADHD. The ADHD group showed a higher frequency of psychological, minor physical and clinician rated IPV, and also higher rates of comorbid anxiety or mood disorder

Abstract This special issue is dedicated to the potential role of neuroscience in forensic psychiatry and psychology. Although neuroscientific insights are increasingly incorporated in clinical practice, they received less attention in forensic mental healthcare and in the forensic mental health literature. In the last decade there has been an increased interest in using neuroscientific knowledge in

abstract Evidence-based practice (EBP) advocates that treatments offered to patients should be empirically supported and effective. Group-based treatment is offered in forensic mental health services as a way of assisting forensic patients (FPs) to address their offending behavior. However, little research exists examining how research and practice are integrated in these interventions, consistent

Abstract Research and practice in violence risk assessment in forensic mental health primarily focuses on risk factors; however consideration of protective factors may improve the accuracy and utility of assessments. Using a pseudo-prospective design, the predictive and incremental validity of protective factors was explored using the Structured Assessment of Protective Factors (SAPROF) and Historical

Abstract The risk of patients committing violence implies major challenges throughout the care process in forensic psychiatry and brings risk assessments to the fore. The aim was to explore nurses’ experiences of risk assessments for their care planning and risk management in forensic psychiatry. Data were collected through focus groups with 15 nurses. The qualitative content analysis followed a deductive

Abstract Incarcerated offenders are more likely to experience Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and associated symptoms than the general population. PTSD may develop from a variety of events, including being a victim of violence, witnessing violence, or from committing a violent offense. This study examined symptoms and predictors of PTSD in 150 male violent offenders. Participants recalled acts

Abstract Forensic care settings are often isolated spaces with high levels of security. Where these settings are overly restrictive, this can affect recovery, autonomy and the therapeutic milieu. It is not clear what phenomena patients themselves identify as restrictive and how, subjectively, they experience these. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 patients in secure hospitals in England