Injustice in forensic psychiatry

Abstract

Some forensic psychiatric patients are not discharged until they are considered safe. There is evidence to show that reports compiled about them are often inaccurate. Furthermore, if they are suspected of wrongdoing, any internal investigation may be carried out in such a way that a just outcome may be purely coincidental. This means that considerations of safety, dangerousness and risks may well be influenced by information that is biased or wrong. Psychiatrists should consider adopting some of the methods of investigation that are thought appropriate when others in society are suspected of wrongdoing