ABSTRACT
This chapter critically explores creative practices within forensic mental health and mental health services. The field of forensic mental health is introduced, followed by a brief exploration of the development of creative practice within mental health care. A consideration of current practice is explored through a data excerpt collected from the first author’s ethnographic fieldwork exploring creative practices within one forensic mental health hospital in the United Kingdom. The data excerpt is presented in the form of a vignette, which illuminates the tensions between the often competing frameworks of care and custody that underpin forensic mental health practice. The notion that a risk-averse culture can dominate the forensic mental health environment, restricting opportunities for the promotion of well-being through engagement with creative practices is highlighted. Consideration is given to the value attributed to procedural and relational security within forensic mental health practice, which has important implications for creative practice within such an environment. The chapter points to the scope for consideration of creative practice engagement that includes staff and patients, offering the potential for mutual benefit and promotion of the therapeutic relationship. A call for further research in this area is proposed.
