title: The Treatment Perspectives of Mentally Ill Offenders in Medium- and High-Secure Forensic Settings in Flanders.
abstract: There is an increasing interest in mentally ill offenders' (MIOs) treatment experiences in forensic settings. This study focuses on the treatment perspectives of MIOs in treatment as well as in prison settings in Flanders. Seventeen MIOs were interviewed about the treatment they received. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to derive key themes while acknowledging the individuality of the participants' experiences. Treatment perspectives of MIOs in both settings revolved around similar themes, including "good" staff and privacy. However, their views differed on two themes: MIOs in treatment settings reported on feelings of lacking control and experiencing too much pressure, whereas MIOs in prison settings reported the opposite. The positive experiences in prison settings may complicate the transition from prison to a forensic treatment setting. The study further underscores the major challenge to create more opportunities for MIOs to meet their needs of self-determination in secure forensic treatment settings.
authors.affiliation: University College Ghent, Belgium wingting.to@hogent.be.
authors.forename: Wing Ting
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: To
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stijn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanheule
authors.affiliation: University College Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Smet
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stijn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vandevelde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001530:Belgium; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012951:Socialization
keywords: forensic mental health; mentally ill offenders; service user perceptions; treatment