People with personality disorder who offend tend to be neglected by health services in most countries. In the UK, there has been renewed interest in the field since government initiatives in the end of the 1990s. Government proposals themselves are controversial, but there is growing recognition that it is unsafe, both for the general public and for the primary sufferer alike, if the neglect continues. Years of experience have combined to provide a highly practical reference work covering: ·Models of understanding of personality development and disorder ·Methods of assessment and treatment and how they can be applied and modified ·Special issues - drug misuse, long-stay induced secondary disorders, issues pertinent to women only, 'intractable' patients ·A path for care - from initial assessment to the logistics of discharge ·Management issues - choosing staff, supervision and support of staff Evidence-based and entirely comprehensive in its approach, practitioners will find Personality Disorder and Serious Offending both a practical and insightful adjunct that will assist them in their work.

Drawing on the latest evidence from the disparate worlds of mental health and criminal justice, Managing Personality Disordered Offenders in the Community provides a practical guide to the management and treatment of a group who comprise some of the most troubled offenders, who provoke the most anxiety in our society. Illustrated throughout with relevant case examples, this book provides a detailed account of key issues in the assessment of both personality disorder and offending. Dowsett and Craissati explore the current state of knowledge regarding treatment approaches, before suggesting a framework for thinking about community management, legislation, and multi-agency practice. The book concludes with a discussion of community pilot projects currently taking place throughout England and Wales. Managing Personality Disordered Offenders in the Community is an accessible and informative guide for trainees and practitioners working in the fields of mental health, social services, and the criminal justice system.

The UK Government's Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Strategy is one of the most significant developments in mental health and criminal justice in recent years. The challenges presented by personality disorder offenders are not unique to the UK and this book also provides a useful overview of developments in the UK for those working with this population in countries where health service provision and legal frameworks pose different challenges. Managing Personality Disordered Offenders: A Pathways Approach describes how the OPD Strategy has been implemented by a consortium of mental health trusts in the UK, in collaboration with the National Probation Service and the Prison Service. This volume covers the broad range of key tasks in developing and delivering an OPD service. This includes reviewing the political and clinical context and how it aims to address some of the criticisms levelled at previous initiatives developed to meet the needs of this population. In each chapter, the authors review the existing literature and discuss the various options that were considered during the development of each of the services. Through this lens, the reader gains a better understanding of the direction taken, followed by a detailed, practical "how to do it" guide.

This volume provides a critical and focused review of knowledge and best practice in the field for mental health and correction professionals, and for those concerned with policy and management of services for these offenders.

Forensic Case Histories: Understanding Serious Offending Behaviour in Men examines men’s violent and sexual offending behaviours, outlined through a series of real offender narratives, from a psychological perspective and in an accessible manner that will engage any audience, from the criminology-intrigued layperson to the specialist in the field. This unique and conversational text thinks psychologically about serious crime, offering a compilation of men’s narratives that explore their life experiences and the ways in which these experiences influence their behaviour in adulthood. Each chapter addresses a particular theme, covering frequently asked questions in the field such as, 'How can an apparently motiveless offence have meaning?' and 'Is psychopathy a personality disorder, and why do we struggle to treat individuals with such traits?' The narratives of individuals who offend are central to the discussion, but the chapters each draw on the relevant facts from the research literature and highlight key learning points. Many chapters also feature 'Further Reading' sections to expand readers’ knowledge. Both educational and accessible, Forensic Case Histories will appeal not only to specialists but to any layperson curious to understand more about criminal acts. It is especially valuable to students and instructors of criminal justice, mental health, and related fields.

Dangerousness, Risk and the Governance of Serious Sexual and Violent Offenders is a fully up-to-date, comprehensive and user-friendly guide on dangerous offenders. It considers what a dangerous offender is and how such offenders are assessed and classified.