ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a vision and a framework of care for forensic psychiatric inpatient services. It examines the characteristics of the patient population. The chapter considers the core objectives and responsibilities of a forensic organization. Forensic mental health care has often been characterized as having been left behind when it comes to developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence based practice. The forensic system therefore has the responsibility both of delivering psychiatric care and also being a source of control and detention to prevent crime and violence. Forensic mental health patients are widely acknowledged to present with long-standing, diverse mental health problems, chronic psychosocial dysfunction, and extensive criminal histories. As with individuals without mental illness, criminogenic factors mediate and possibly increase the likelihood of criminal recidivism and violence. The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability was developed for use with individuals who have persistent and severe mental health problems and individuals who have come into conflict with the law.
