The release of forensic patients

Abstract

Working with persons who become hospitalised in maximum security environments may seem incompatible with social work values, such as self-determination. Social workers can contribute to the humane and effective treatment of such persons as by actively participating in mul-tidisciplinary treatment, as well as by providing the necessary perspective of social justice. A central and often problematic issue in the treatment of forensic patients is their release from hospital. To date little attention has been directed toward understanding the factors mental health staff take into account in making release judgments. To examine factors which staff use in judging suitability for release forty mental health staff were interviewed. Content analysis of the constructs generated by participants revealed that the five most commonly used constructs were mental health factors. Practice and research applications arising out of the research are also discussed.