ABSTRACT

The Fens Unit, based in HMPWhitemoor was one of the four high-secure units, two

prison based and two hospital based, developed as a result of the 1999 government

manifesto pledge to address the treatment needs of men who had a diagnosis of

‘severe personality disorder’. The risk posed by these men was considered to be

linked to their personality psychopathology and hitherto there were previously few, if

any, services available in either the prison or the health service. A smaller service was

established to meet the treatment needs of women who presented with similar

characteristics. These units became known as the Dangerous and Severe Personality

Disorder (DSPD) units and the aims were:

TREATMENT PROGRAMMES FOR HIGH RISK OFFENDERS

(1) to ensure high quality, detailed, risk assessments thus protecting the public

from some of the most dangerous people in society;

(2) to provide high-quality services for the individuals themselves to improve

their health outcomes; (3) to reduce the risk that these individuals pose and enable them to work

towards successful integration into the community or to be able to be

detained at the lowest level of security without harming others.