Designed to cure: The clinicianled development of England's regional secure units

Abstract

The influence of ideas central to contemporary forensic psychiatry on the design of England's regional secure units, as well as some other influences on the final designs, are described. While the design processes were, for the most part, successful, some elements of the design-thinking may have been overwrought, involving some degree of ‘magical thinking’ in which the symbolization of desired professional outcomes is confused with the direct causation of these outcomes. While this had little effect on the overall efficacy of the designs, it seems to have led to certain security features being inadequately designed.

Key Words:

• regional secure units
• hospital design