Forensic mental health orders: orders without borders.
OBJECTIVE
Persons subject to forensic mental health orders imposed by the courts form a small but politically salient group. Their management provides a number of challenges for mental health services and for governments throughout Australia. Although their overall management has been enhanced by recent developments in forensic services, there is a lack of consistent cross-border agreements between states and territories. This paper will discuss how this situation is not conducive to effective risk management and is a denial of patients' legitimate demands for freedom of movement. A proposal for the adoption of appropriate principles to improve the current state of affairs is outlined.


CONCLUSIONS
Legislative reform is required to ensure the safe and ethical management of mentally disordered offenders subject to forensic mental health orders in Australia.
Carroll
Andrew
A
Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia. Andrew.Carroll@med.monash.edu.au
Scott
Russ
R
Green
Bob
B
Dalton
Tom
T
Brett
Adam
A
McVie
Ness
N
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy