A central task of forensic psychiatry and correctional services is to improve and secure the lives of mentally ill offenders. Institutions of forensic psychiatry and correctional services have the characteristics of a total institution. This is characterized by the fact that a large number of similarly situated individuals lead a formally regulated life cut off from the rest of society for a longer period of time. In the above-mentioned institutions, almost all aspects of human life are governed by regulations: From the structure of the day, to the rules for recreation, to the rules for leaving the institution, to the rules for visiting hours. Thus, there is very little that can be freely decided by the patients. Furthermore, it is known that longer stays in total institutions are associated with the risk of hospitalism and even the loss of everyday competencies.
While the scope of this rule-regulated existence aims to be the reduction of criminal recidivism, another, partly contradictory core goal of Forensic Psychiatry concerns the individual’s rehabilitation.
However, although recovery orientation and personal development are notions encompassed in the medical rehabilitative model (e.g., established peer support, secure recovery) they are still not systematically introduced in the majority of countries. Moreover, while there are still doubts on whether the promotion of empowerment and the challenges of security and control are compatible under the given legal and therapeutic conditions, there is also concern about compromising the central goal of mandated treatment, namely the reduction of criminal recidivism. From a theoretical point of view, it can be suggested that a successful recovery orientation supports the long-term legal probation of patients. There is also conceptual overlap with the concept of desistance, understood as refraining from substance use and/or criminal behavior, which has been used successfully in the treatment of persons with addictions and histories of offensive behavior.
The Research Topic should illuminate if recovery orientation and personal development in forensic mental health settings are beneficial or hindering and under which circumstances these interventions are most likely to further the therapeutic process.
We will welcome original studies, case reports of clinical cohorts and reviews addressing the above aims. We specifically encourage submissions addressing the following topics:
• Influence of personal Recovery and development orientation on criminal recidivism
• Implementation and roll-out in forensic mental health accompanying research
• Beneficial interventions and guidelines concerning personal development and recovery
• Risk factors and hindering circumstances in the above mentioned context
• Juristic framework and fall knits in this context
• Therapeutic attitude, patient participation and its influence on outcome
• Recovery and personal development measurement
A central task of forensic psychiatry and correctional services is to improve and secure the lives of mentally ill offenders. Institutions of forensic psychiatry and correctional services have the characteristics of a total institution. This is characterized by the fact that a large number of similarly situated individuals lead a formally regulated life cut off from the rest of society for a longer period of time. In the above-mentioned institutions, almost all aspects of human life are governed by regulations: From the structure of the day, to the rules for recreation, to the rules for leaving the institution, to the rules for visiting hours. Thus, there is very little that can be freely decided by the patients. Furthermore, it is known that longer stays in total institutions are associated with the risk of hospitalism and even the loss of everyday competencies.
While the scope of this rule-regulated existence aims to be the reduction of criminal recidivism, another, partly contradictory core goal of Forensic Psychiatry concerns the individual’s rehabilitation.
However, although recovery orientation and personal development are notions encompassed in the medical rehabilitative model (e.g., established peer support, secure recovery) they are still not systematically introduced in the majority of countries. Moreover, while there are still doubts on whether the promotion of empowerment and the challenges of security and control are compatible under the given legal and therapeutic conditions, there is also concern about compromising the central goal of mandated treatment, namely the reduction of criminal recidivism. From a theoretical point of view, it can be suggested that a successful recovery orientation supports the long-term legal probation of patients. There is also conceptual overlap with the concept of desistance, understood as refraining from substance use and/or criminal behavior, which has been used successfully in the treatment of persons with addictions and histories of offensive behavior.
The Research Topic should illuminate if recovery orientation and personal development in forensic mental health settings are beneficial or hindering and under which circumstances these interventions are most likely to further the therapeutic process.
We will welcome original studies, case reports of clinical cohorts and reviews addressing the above aims. We specifically encourage submissions addressing the following topics:
• Influence of personal Recovery and development orientation on criminal recidivism
• Implementation and roll-out in forensic mental health accompanying research
• Beneficial interventions and guidelines concerning personal development and recovery
• Risk factors and hindering circumstances in the above mentioned context
• Juristic framework and fall knits in this context
• Therapeutic attitude, patient participation and its influence on outcome
• Recovery and personal development measurement
