Forensic controversies arise over prisoners with psychiatric conditions who warrant exceptional treatment considerations. For example, identifying and addressing the needs of inmates with anxiety disorders is a particular challenge, as corrections officials attempt to eliminate trafficking of controlled substances – which include prescribed psychiatric medications. Corrections officials may therefore be resistant to offering treatment that is specifically needed for a particular inmate. Treating impulsivity and violence requires particularly sophisticated forensic assessment of causes, actions, medical and personality dynamics. The wrong solution means continuing episodes and potentially tragic outcomes.
For some, emotional difficulties relate closely to the risk for recidivism. The range of sex offending behaviors and potential interventions illustrate how sensitive this expert assessment is. More successful forensic insights to drug treatment, group and interpersonal psychotherapy, more tolerable medicines, anger management and morality training are just some of the options available to courts who consider treatment recommendations to the offender.
The Forensic Panel extends the expertise of our specialists with a far-flung network of forensic, psychiatry, medical and addiction-specialist colleagues in programs around the world. We know where the pilot projects have been successful, and whether their successes will be applicable to a particular case. Peer review oversight ensures that recommendations fortify forensic psychiatry assessments of such offender treatment, and make the focused and needed recommendations. The Forensic Panel brings its sophistication not only to the forensic assessment of diagnosis, but to recommending solutions as well.