In this letter, the authors review briefly the concept of assessing fitness to stand trial and the benefit of developing a structured professional judgment tool.
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Offering group mental health programs in a maximum-security correctional facility: Observations, outcomes, and recommendations
In the following article, the author discusses psychoeducational groups offered in a men’s maximum security prison by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s (CAMH) Forensic Early Intervention Service (FEIS) in partnership with correctional services staff. The author shares observations and experiences facilitating mental health programs with clients in custody and explore related challenges, risks and opportunities. Outcomes and feedback from group participants are reviewed and recommendations for others interested in offering similar programs are presented.
Read moreThe Implementation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) in a Forensic Setting: Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychotic illness that affects approximately 1% of the population. Within the Canadian forensic psychiatric system, patients are detained under a provincial Review Board after being found not criminally responsible (NCR) on account of a mental disorder. Here, the prevalence rate of schizophrenia is 53% [1]. Even with the use of psychotropic medication, it is estimated that approximately only 25% of patients fully recover from the illness [2]. The presence of active psychotic symptoms increases the risk of violent behaviour [3]. Thus, psychological interventions have been developed to be employed in conjunction with medication to assist in managing or even reducing symptomatology.
Read moreScales for Evaluating the Acceptance of the Rape Myth: Benefits and Limitations
Society’s views regarding rape and sexual aggression have significantly evolved in recent years. Rape is now a felony, and the context of marital rape is an aggravating circumstance. Nonetheless, common representations could tend to minimize the perpetrator’s responsibility and to excuse their actions. This shows acceptance of a set of attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes that we call the Rape Myth. Acceptance of these representations or of the Rape Myth is widespread, including among those who work in the legal and healthcare fields and among jurors, and may lead to a reduced penal response [1,2]. It also exists among rape victims and may prevent them from reporting the events or being able to reconstruct them precisely [3]. The existence of strong correlations between acceptance of the Myth and a propensity for rape and other coercive sexual behaviour [4-7] underscores the importance of this factor. In this way, the acceptance of the Rape Myth could lead to cognitive distortions that rationalize, minimize or justify the behaviours of sexual offenders [8,9]. Cognitive distortions also serve to protect sexual abusers’ image so that they do not feel guilty, blame themselves or consider themselves to be monsters.
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