Forensic Mental Health: Concepts, systems, and practice

The UK locks up more individuals per year than in any other part of Europe. Many of these are suffering from some form of treatable mental disorder, yet, too often prison is viewed as the only option. Part of the problem is the range of individuals and specialties involved in making these crucial judgments. Government departments, health and social care and voluntary sector organizations, and frontline criminal justice and penal institutions are all engaged in the definition, management, and processing of the mentally disordered offender (MDO) leaving the individual in a "spider's web" of a system-often to their disadvantage. This book presents a penetrating and thought provoking analysis of the forensic mental health system-how it operates, the people involved, the problems inherent in such a system, and the huge ethical dilemma of depriving an individual of their freedom. It brings together a range of specialists, each with considerable experience, who describe the processes involved in dealing with an MDO-from their own unique perspective. The book will be essential for both students and professionals in the complex and ethically challenging discipline of forensic mental health.