Random assignment in sexual offending programme evaluation: the missing method
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Ahead of Print. Purpose The need for random assignment in sexual offending programme evaluation is clear. Decades of high dependence on weak-inference methodology, that of observational studies, has inhibited professional agreement regarding the effects of programmes. Observational studies have a place in evaluation research when more rigorous scientific designs precede them, as occurs in neighbouring fields of drug development and health. If, however, observational studies remain the only method used to evaluate sexual offending programmes, the field will continue to endure uncertainty w...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - January 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Developing digitally enabled interventions for prison and probation settings: a review
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight some initial efforts within Her Majesty ’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to develop digitally enabled services supporting the rehabilitation of service users. It is not designed to set out either HMPPS policy on digital rehabilitative services or the position of HMPPS Interventions Services on this subject. Rather, it is a short exposition of the authors’ views on the potential of digitally enabled strategies to enhance interventions in forensic settings. In this context, the authors will also describe the develo...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - January 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Violent offender treatment in a medium secure unit
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of a Violent Offender Treatment Program (VOTP) adapted for use in a medium secure unit (MSU). The patient population is adult male mentally disordered offenders. Design/methodology/approach Patient outcomes are explored using the Reliable Change Index and Clinical Significance Criterion. Outcomes are assessed using VOTP facilitators violence risk assessment (VRS), multi-disciplinary team violence risk assessment (HCR-20 and GAS-V), and patient self-report using two measures (FAVT and STAXI-2). Findi...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - January 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Investigative interviewing, dissociative identity disorder and the role of the Registered Intermediary
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Ahead of Print. Purpose Intermediaries facilitate communication with many types of vulnerable witnesses during police investigative interviews. The purpose of this paper is to find out how intermediaries engage in their role in cases where the vulnerable witness presents with one type of vulnerability, namely, dissociative identity disorder (DID). Design/methodology/approach In phase 1, data were obtained from the National Crime Agency Witness Intermediary Team (WIT) to ascertain the demand for intermediaries in DID cases in England and Wales within a three-year period. In phase 2 of thi...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - January 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
The impact of masculinity upon men with psychosis who reside in secure forensic settings
This study revealed that men with psychosis have different, predominantly pro-social explanatory frameworks for their representation of masculinity. However, the study was limited by its lack of longitudinal assessment and the inclusion of a greater number of participants may have enh anced the representativeness and generalisability of the findings. Practical implications Therapeutic discussions in respect of masculinity itself could provide men with the opportunity to develop newer, more adaptive conceptualisations of themselves, help them develop greater self-awareness and u nderstanding of the sources of their present...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - January 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Lifers over tariff: exploring psychological barriers to progression
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 20, Issue 2, Page 81-90, May 2018. Purpose There are a significant number of life-sentenced prisoners in Scotland who are over tariff (i.e. past their punishment part expiry date) and who appear to have difficulty in making the transition towards community reintegration. The factors involved in their repeated returns to closed conditions are not adequately understood. The purpose of this paper is to explore this issue using a qualitative approach in order to understand the experience of life-sentenced prisoners in this position, and the psychological barriers that compromise their p...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - December 15, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Lifers over tariff: exploring psychological barriers to progression
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Ahead of Print. Purpose There are a significant number of life-sentenced prisoners in Scotland who are over tariff (i.e. past their punishment part expiry date) and who appear to have difficulty in making the transition towards community reintegration. The factors involved in their repeated returns to closed conditions are not adequately understood. The purpose of this paper is to explore this issue using a qualitative approach in order to understand the experience of life-sentenced prisoners in this position, and the psychological barriers that compromise their progression to less secure...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - December 15, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Editorial
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 19, Issue 4, Page 245-246, November 2017. (Source: Journal of Forensic Practice)
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - November 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Mentally disordered young offenders in transition from child and adolescent to adult mental health services across England and Wales
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 19, Issue 4, Page 301-308, November 2017. Purpose This paper provides an overview of transitions across forensic child and adolescent mental health services in England and Wales. The purpose of this paper is to delineate the national secure services system for young people in contact with the youth justice system. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews findings from the existing literature of transitions across forensic child and adolescent mental health services, drawing attention to present facilitators and barriers to optimal transition. The authors examine the infrastru...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - November 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Policing registered sex offenders
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 19, Issue 4, Page 296-300, November 2017. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline current police risk assessment and management practice when working with those convicted of sexual offences. The paper introduces the newly implemented Active Risk Management System (ARMS), a risk- and strengths-based tool used by the police across England and Wales. Design/methodology/approach A brief review of the literature and current practice is discussed. Findings The paper notes that in order for practitioners to work in a context of rehabilitation and reintegration, particularly one t...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - November 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
A service for non-offending partners of male sexual offenders
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 19, Issue 4, Page 288-295, November 2017. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a novel service for the non-offending partners (NOPs) of men who have sexually offended against children. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines the rationale for the current service and the preliminary qualitative data that reflect how NOPs experience the group innovations. Findings Interviews and previous qualitative analyses demonstrate both the positive changes that the NOP programme supports regarding child protections skills and the value that NOPs perceive in in...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - November 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Women at the centre – using formulation to enhance partnership-working: a case study
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 19, Issue 4, Page 278-287, November 2017. Purpose The 2011 Offender Personality Disorder Strategy promoted formulation-led approaches to offender management. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how formulation can inform partnership-working with women offenders, specifically those with complex needs including personality difficulties. Design/methodology/approach Learning from partnership case-work is shared to highlight a psychological understanding of the needs of one female offender, and the organisational system operating around her. Findings The paper describes the dev...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - November 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Obesity in a forensic and rehabilitation psychiatric service: a missed opportunity?
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 19, Issue 4, Page 269-277, November 2017. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study weight changes during psychiatric hospitalization, so as to identify “obesogenic” features in a mixed (forensic and rehabilitation) inpatient service. Design/methodology/approach An observational study of psychiatric inpatients, gathering sociodemographic, clinical, weight, dietary and sleep information and an actigraphic assessment. Findings A total of 51 pa tients, aged 19-68, 40 males, participated at a median of 13 months after their admission. When studied, only 6 percent had a healthy...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - November 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
The PARALLEL Study (imPAct of expeRiencing Another ’s seLf harm and suicidaL bEhaviour in hospitaL)
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 19, Issue 4, Page 258-268, November 2017. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of both staff and patients in a medium-secure mental health unit of the self-harm and/or suicidal behaviour of others. Suicide and self-harm is highly prevalent in forensic settings and evidence suggests that experiencing other people ’s self-harm and suicidal behaviour can lead to negative outcomes, both for staff and patients. This is particularly important in hospitals where patients are highly dependent on staff for support. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured int...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - November 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Personality disorder, treatment readiness and dropout from treatment in three community-based cognitive skills and violence reduction programmes
The Journal of Forensic Practice,Volume 19, Issue 4, Page 247-257, November 2017. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between personality disorder (PD) treatment readiness and dropout from three community-based offending behaviour group programmes. Design/methodology/approach At the pre-programme stage, measures of PD and treatment readiness were administered to 186 offenders participating in either a cognitive skills programme, a general violence programme or a programme for domestically abusive men. Demographic and risk data were also obtained from the offender assessment system. At a o...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - November 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
