Placement and treatment of mentally disordered offenders

More about the book

The placement and treatment of mentally disordered offenders is a controversial issue within mental health care and criminal justice systems in western societies, generating significant public interest, especially in high-profile cases. Forensic psychiatry plays a critical dual role: treating individuals according to modern psychiatric standards while addressing societal expectations and ensuring public safety. Historically, international research on these complex issues has been limited. This book offers a structured description and cross-border comparison of various aspects, including legal forensic frameworks, key concepts, assessment and court procedures, routine practices for placing and treating mentally ill offenders, as well as human and patients' rights. It also examines forensic service provision and the outcomes of legal procedures and forensic care across fifteen EU Member States prior to the May 2004 expansion (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom). This comprehensive resource is essential for anyone involved in the placement or treatment of mentally disordered offenders or those interested in the topic.