Treatment perspectives on interned mentally ill offenders in a forensic psychiatric center (FPC): a Delphi study on experts' opinions

Abstract

The study aims to map the treatment perspectives of international experts on treating mentally ill offenders (MIO) in a forensic psychiatric centre (FPC) using the Delphi method. The four-round Delphi study reveals high conformity on the proposed treatment-related issues. However, some points of divergence remain. Three controversies underpinning these disagreements are discussed. The first regards the treatment and control debate, the second concerns the dual role of assessment in forensic mental health care and the third describes potential entry conditions for treatment in a FPC. Further research is needed to scientifically underpin the above mentioned debates. In this regard, the study suggests a close collaboration between practitioners and researchers.

Keywords:

• mentally ill offenders
• treatment
• forensic psychiatric centre
• Delphi method

Acknowledgements

This research was financed by the Research Fund of University College Ghent and was conducted by the University College Ghent, Faculty of Education, Health and Social Work in partnership with the Ghent University, Center OBRA, and Platform FPC Ghent. The authors would like to thank all Delphi participants for their valued contribution. Furthermore, the authors would like to express their gratitude to the steering committee and Prof. Denis Ryan and Roland van de Sande for their valuable help with translating the Delphi statements from Dutch to English.