ABSTRACT
This chapter defines and describes the long-stay forensic mental health population. It highlights the unique treatment needs of this group and details the legal, demographic, and clinical variables associated with long-stay status. It also describes and compares international models of treating long-stay patients and explores alternative approaches that focus on the quality of life over immediate treatment progression or risk assessment. Finally, it discusses some of the legal and ethical concerns regarding the indefinite and lengthy nature of many patients’ stays in secure settings.
