Publication date: January–February 2020
Source: International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, Volume 68
Author(s): Marjolein De Pau, Anouk Mertens, Delphine Bourmorck, Wouter Vanderplasschen, Pablo Nicaise, Freya Vander Laenen
Abstract
Background
Care trajectories of Persons labelled Not Criminally Responsible (PNCR) are often characterized by multiple transitions from one (forensic) mental health service to another and by long periods of admission. So far, little research has been conducted on forensic care trajectories, in particular on how PNCR perceive the trajectories they are subjected to.
Method
Data were obtained via semi-structured interviews (N = 23) with PNCR in various (forensic) mental health services in Belgium. A maximum variation sampling strategy was applied to recruit a heterogeneous group of PNCR and inductive thematic analysis adopted to analyse the data.
Results
PNCR’s experiences about care trajectories in Belgium are marked by an absent voice and passive position in the decision-making process in addition to a lack of support during transitions. Barriers for admission in (forensic) mental health services and the indeterminate duration of care trajectories contribute to overall negative lived experiences.
Conclusion
Although some findings are interchangeable with general mental health care, PNCR’s care trajectories differ by their undetermined nature, barriers for accessing care and power dynamics in compulsory forensic care. As concepts from prison sociology, such as tightness, power holders and pain of indeterminacy, seem to be equally relevant for the situation of PNCR, the balance between a criminal justice and mental health approach in forensic mental health care is questioned.