To read this content please select one of the options below:

Forensic intellectual disability services: differences in staff perspectives in the Danish and Norwegian systems

Eskil Nyhus (Forensic Department, Brøset, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway)
Søren Holst (Department of Sociology and Social Work, Aalborg Universitet, Aalborg, Denmark and Kofoedsminde, Rodby, Denmark)
Charlotte Munch (Kofoedsminde, Rodby, Denmark)
Erik Søndenaa (Forensic Department, Brøset, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway and Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway)

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour

ISSN: 2050-8824

Article publication date: 28 June 2021

Issue publication date: 19 July 2021

76

Abstract

Purpose

Persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) who offend are treated differently depending on the national jurisdiction. Norway and Denmark are two such examples. The differences in care models may also have an impact on staff perspectives. This paper aims to study the differences between Norwegian and Danish staff members within secure forensic ID services.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study involving Norwegian (n = 145) and Danish staff (n = 279) in secure forensic learning disabilities services was conducted. The response rates were 50% in Denmark (n = 147) and 69% in Norway (n = 98), respectively. An electronic survey covering five sets of topics (demographic characteristics, working conditions, workplace culture, work motivation and work resilience) was used. The findings was statistically analysed using SPSS.

Findings

This study confirmed that staff in the two neighbouring countries have common conceptions of their employment. Danish staff were more exposed to violent incidents (t = 4.1(237); p < 0.001). There was greater concern with workplace safety in Denmark (t = 5.2(237); p < 0.001) compared to more team-based and rigid working conditions in Norway (t = −2.6(237); p < 0.01).

Originality/value

These differences are discussed in relation to some important national differences in a professional culture, educational systems, service organisation and legal issues that possibly add realistic explanations to the findings.

Keywords

Citation

Nyhus, E., Holst, S., Munch, C. and Søndenaa, E. (2021), "Forensic intellectual disability services: differences in staff perspectives in the Danish and Norwegian systems", Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 75-83. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-01-2021-0001

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles