The Violent Offender Treatment Program (VOTP): Development of a Treatment Program for Violent Patients in a High Security Psychiatric Hospital

Abstract

There are growing numbers of offenders with a mental illness convicted of violent behaviors in both the penal and mental health systems. To date however, there have been limited effective treatments reported for this population. This article describes the development, delivery and outcome of a pilot treatment program developed to meet this need (VOTP) within high secure psychiatric services. The program is based on current literature and clinical experience combined to provide a comprehensive theoretical model. The program thus account for theoretical and therapeutic content as well as responsivity and other delivery issues. The program is structured and manualized, multi modal, and delivered in approximately 280 hours of group therapy plus a range of weekly individual work and support. Staff training is an essential component of the work. So far, promising results are forthcoming. They include reductions in behavioral manifestations of violence, a decrease in perceived level of risk and an increase in coping and interpersonal skills.