FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY: THE MISUNDERSTOOD BEAST (PART 1)
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- MWFD
- Denise_Kohler
- judie
- Anita147
- psychodelic_funk
- psychodelic_funk
- judie
- pour_more_lore
- dafne_e
- judie
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» MWFD - Forensic Institutions
The investigative component of Forensic Psych is definitely the rarest. The appliation of forensics to "criminal responsibility" and institutionalization is its biggest area. Your son's not criminally responsible status can be a good or a bad thing (depending on who's point of view you are looking from). The forensic psych hospital can be a better thing because it provides essential therapy that the prison doesn't. Prison often takes maleable individuals and makes them into worse offenders (unfortunately). However, the not criminally responsibility can also become a life sentense of institutionalization. A sad fact if the crime was a small one. However, the psych hospital in most cases is better then the prison.-- posted by MWFD
» Denise_Kohler - Forensic Psych Hospitals
I would be interested in reading an article on how other Psych hospitals (civil) manage their forensic units. Specifically, do patients' rights interfere with treatment? How are staff educated about the philosophy of patient care (treatment vs. incarceration) for IST/NGRI patients?Also I would appreciate any information on sex offender recidivism evaluations, ie. psychological tests that may predict future offending. Thanks.
-- posted by Denise_Kohler
» judie - NCR
I find myself constantly swinging between being greatful for treatment and sad for the way treatment is being provided. My dilema at the time was trying to understand the mental health system, legal system and schizophrenia simultaneously.My son was diagnosed in a forensic unit at the age of 19 but was ill for a year prior to this. I had initially taken him to a psych ward of a general hospital with the suspicion that he had schizophrenia. After an initial trial of medication and a severe drug reaction he was transfered to a psych hospital. After 3 mths he came home and within a month was noncompliant with his meds. He slipped into a severe psychotic state for the next 4 mths. but refused any form of treatment. He overdosed on his meds and attempted to hang himself and was hospitalized for 4 days at which time he was sent on a bus home.
At this point I felt like I was the delusional one. He was immediately noncompliant with medication and 3 mths. later committed a nominal crime. He broke into a house believing it had appeared from nowhere and his presence inside would stabilize it and thus save the planet. There was no intent to harm or steal.
He was in the forensic unit for 11 mths where he was medicated and noncompliant when well after which we went through the capacity board he was deemed incapable of treatment decisions. He appealed this and became very ill once again. Within a few months he consented to taking medication. Currently he is in a non forensic young adult unit of a psych hospital. He is intelligent and the person I knew him to be before his illness. He attends a regular highschool from the hospital and his review board hearing is coming up. He is medication compliant but still has some difficulty with insight.
My concern is that I'm not sure how careful the hospital staff has to be with advice to me. I will be speaking with the psychiatrist soon. My concern also is that there be a healthy balance between quality of life and his right to not take medication in the future. Our mental health system has failed us in many ways!
-- posted by judie
» Anita147 - Staff knowledge in Forensic Psychiatric Institutions
I have worked in a both a medium and maximum Forensic Psychiatric Institutions. I have certainly been appauled by the attitudes of the staff there. I worked as a nursing assisant and thus worked under the qualified Psych nursing staff. These people are supposed to be trained in the knowledge of psychiatric disorders and 'have a duty to care' as far as i saw the nurses didnt have a clue and treated the patients very badly. It seems to me that the sort of person who are interested in Working in instiutions like this are very much like Prison officers, very ego centric and demanding control. I do appreciateed that the system needs to have a lot of control because a lot of the offenders have committed horrendous crimes however compassion and empathy is definately in the job description.What is also alarming is that some of the patients are on a section 3 on the Mental Health Act,1983(England and Wales) , which means that they have not committed an offence and are locked up in the hospital because they are a danger to them selves and others. A lot of the patients find as Michael Decaire has suggested that it takes a long time to get out of an hospital like this, more difficult than say knowing what your term in prison would be.
Mentally disordered offenders need care and professionalism which as far as i can see doenst happen in practise.
Please visit my web site on FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY at
http://forensicpsychology.web.com
-- posted by Anita147
» psychodelic_funk - Forensic Psychology
I am a canadian student, looking for a forensic psychology program. I do not wish to go to lakehead, and am looking at McGill University in Montreal, but do not know what I should take to get into Forensic Psyc.Could someone please advise me as to my options? An email would always be appreciated.
Thanks.
-- posted by psychodelic_funk
» psychodelic_funk - Re: Forensic Psychiatry
In response to message posted by judie:Judie,
I completely agree with you that if someone is found to be mentally ill they should not be found criminally responsible, but rather receive treatment for their illness. ESPECIALLY here in Ontario.
Amy
-- posted by psychodelic_funk
» judie - NCR Status
In response to message posted by psychodelic_funk:Amy,
Just happened to check in once again as forensic psychiatry has become an interest of mine. For personal reasons only. I'm a psychology student working in research. Needless to say the last 2 yrs have been an eye opener. My previous career was spent working with developmental disorders. Seems strange to read my post from back then.
Life sure has it's twist and turns. An unconditional discharge placed us once again in a position of inability to access treatment and unfortunately this has resulted in a progressive and degenerative course for my son's illness.
Lack of insight and medication nonadherence have placed him in a position of being homeless and in jail recently. The revolving door of hospital admissions continue. This young man responds well to Clozapine but LAWS prevent treatment. I'm sorry to say but the legal system in Ontario has to change in order for people with severe and chronic psychosis to receive treatment. I'm becoming very involved in advocacy work in this area.
"Laws and institutions are constantly tending to gravitate. Like clocks, they must be occasionally cleansed, and wound up, and set to true time." H.W.Beecher
-- posted by judie
» pour_more_lore - Re: NCR
Hiya Judie,I'm a freshman in high school doing a career report on For.Psych. I've been here pretty much all day reading these endless discussions. They all are really informative but it was yours from way back when that interested me the most. I'm not sure if you still check up on this discussion, but in case you do, I would like to commend you on sharing such a personal story about your son. If possible, may I use your experience as a part of my handout to show that forensics is not only about catching the bad guys (as I figured from the movies), but to help those in need. I read a later reply from yours that forensic psychiatry is a growing interest of yours. I hope it carries out the purpose you intended it to have. Thank you once again for commenting on your experiences. May God bless you and your family.
Alyssa
-- posted by pour_more_lore
» dafne_e - Re: Forensic Psychology
HeyWell I read that you were looking for a place where you could study forensic psycholoygy in Canada. And I really would like to know if you got an answer, cause I'm also wanting to study it. Perhaps in Canada, I don't know. I would be very pleased if you could give me some information, if you have some.
-- posted by dafne_e
» judie - Re: NCR
Hello Alyssa,I do still check in on occasion and in answer to your request to use what I've written about my families' experience, for an example as part of a presentation etc., please feel free. I realize this is probably after the fact but I hope you did use it.
I read that first post again and see my distress and frustration quite clearly. I stumbled over trying to tell what happened and it is not very clear in some parts. It was a long story to try and shorten. It was also the most painful experience of my life.
Thank you for the blessings and take care.
Judie
"Laws and institutions are constantly tending to gravitate. Like clocks, they must be occasionally cleansed, and wound up, and set to true time." H.W.Beecher
-- posted by judie
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