Working with people in forensic mental health services

Applied psychology in forensic contexts has a long history, dating back to the nineteenth century where psychologists began to be called upon to assist the courts in making criminal justice decisions, where mental health was a feature of the crime. A rapid expansion of applied psychology in UK forensic services followed the development of ‘Regional Secure Units’ (RSUs) during the 1980s and 1990s, which were established to provide local secure rehabilitation hubs and ease overcrowding in high secure hospitals. Secure units have expanded rapidly in the last two decades. While the initial services were developed for male adult patients, further services have emerged, specifically for women, adolescents, people with learning and neurodevelopmental difficulties, and a host of other specialist presentations. Psychological therapies, and other applications of psychological theory, are essential elements of forensic mental health services. The psychology workforce includes both forensic and clinical psychologists. Forensic psychologists are trained with a focus on applying psychological principles when working with offenders specifically, while clinical psychologists have broader but equally applicable skill sets with a focus on understanding and treating mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. This chapter will outline the broader context and particular challenges associated with working as a psychologist in forensic settings.