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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2006

Rick Howard

This paper reviews the medico‐legal background to the development of the pilot programme for treatment and assessment of dangerous individuals with severe personality disorder. It…

Abstract

This paper reviews the medico‐legal background to the development of the pilot programme for treatment and assessment of dangerous individuals with severe personality disorder. It raises the question: is personality disorder related to dangerousness, and (if so) what mediates the relationship? It then reviews recent findings suggesting that patients deemed to be dangerous and severely personality disordered are characterised by a combination of antisocial and borderline traits, and as such are a source of distress both to themselves and to others. It remains for future research to determine how this particular constellation of personality disorders is functionally linked to dangerousness, and whether the link is mediated by neuropsychological impairment resulting from early‐onset alcohol abuse, as recently proposed by Howard (2006). It is recommended that the current criteria for ‘dangerous and severe personality disorder’ be dispensed with.

Details

The British Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6646

Article
Publication date: 17 September 2009

Kerry Sheldon and Gopi Krishnan

This paper describes the clinical and risk characteristics of patients admitted over the first four years of operation of the Dangerous and Severe Personality Disordered (DSPD…

Abstract

This paper describes the clinical and risk characteristics of patients admitted over the first four years of operation of the Dangerous and Severe Personality Disordered (DSPD) NHS pilot at the Peaks Unit, Rampton Secure Hospital. There were 124 referrals, mainly from Category A and B prisons, resulting in 68 DSPD admissions. Clinically, 29% scored 30 or more on the Psychopathy Checklist. The most common personality disorders were antisocial, borderline, paranoid and narcissistic. There is a high risk of violent/sexual recidivism as measured by the Static‐99, Violence Risk Scale, and the Historical, Clinical and Risk Management Scale.

Details

The British Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6646

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 December 2010

Roos Stals, Albert Dijkhuizen and Tom Joosten

GGzE, a mental health care organisation in the south Netherlands, implemented treatment for patients with severe personality disorders and substance use: clinical case management…

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Abstract

GGzE, a mental health care organisation in the south Netherlands, implemented treatment for patients with severe personality disorders and substance use: clinical case management (CCM). CCM is a special healthcare facility for patients whose needs do not match other existing treatment designs. These patients are characterised by unproductive or disturbed relationships and multiple crises that deregulate clinical practice and impede recovery. In the CCM team, patients are treated with the theoretical concepts of relationship management, interpersonal reconstructive therapy, Livesley's stage‐wise treatment and integrated dual disorder treatment (IDDT). These theoretical models and methods used within CCM have been described extensively, though there has been no clinical study about its effect within GGzE so far. Professionals working within the CCM team report that behaviour such as acting out is reduced after about one year of treatment, with less interventions from other caretakers or police involvement. To substantiate these claims, a single group pre‐test and posttest was conducted to find out whether these patients really experience changes in physical and psychological problems, as well as changes in their personality disorder.The sample consists of patients who started treatment between 2004 and 2009 (pre measurement T=0), (n = 21). At T=0, patients completed the Symptom Checklist (SCL‐90) and Personality Characteristics Questionnaire (Vragenlijst Kenmerken Persoonlijkheid, VKP). The outcomes are compared with the results of the same questionnaires that were completed by patients in 2010 (post measurement T=1). The outcomes of the SCL‐90 show significant changes for fear, depression, hostility, distrust and interpersonal sensitivity, as well as the total score of psychoneurosis. The VKP shows significant changes for general personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder and borderline personality disorder. More research is needed to find stronger evidence of treatment effects of CCM, using a bigger sample, a control group and more outcome measurements that also include the drug use of patients.

Details

Advances in Dual Diagnosis, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-0972

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 February 2011

Kerry Sheldon and Allison Tennant

This paper provides a clinical practice overview of the challenges that can arise when working with dangerous and severe personality‐disordered patients in a high secure hospital…

Abstract

This paper provides a clinical practice overview of the challenges that can arise when working with dangerous and severe personality‐disordered patients in a high secure hospital. Poor engagement and treatment readiness, mistrust, paranoia and dominant interpersonal styles are all clinical features that affect treatment delivery. The paper discusses the impact of these features, and suggests how clinicians can engage effectively with individuals who have personality disorders in regard to therapy in general.

Details

The British Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6646

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2005

Steve Sizmur and Theresa Noutch

Interest in people who are ‘dangerous by way of severe personality disorder’ (DSPD) has grown enormously over the last six years, following growing concern in government about the…

Abstract

Interest in people who are ‘dangerous by way of severe personality disorder’ (DSPD) has grown enormously over the last six years, following growing concern in government about the lack of services for this challenging group. This has led to the development of an innovative programme and the piloting of new treatments. The DSPD Programme results from a partnership between the Home Office's National Offender Management Service and the Department of Health, and aims to pilot a range of approaches involving both prison and health service provision. Associated with this pilot is a research and development programme that will provide valuable findings on whether or not treatment can affect risks for individuals who have hitherto been considered difficult or impossible to treat.

Details

The British Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6646

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Article
Publication date: 14 December 2010

Nick Joseph and Nick Benefield

This article explores the development of an offender personality disorder strategy for the Department of Health (DH) and National Offender Management Service (NOMS). The strategy…

Abstract

This article explores the development of an offender personality disorder strategy for the Department of Health (DH) and National Offender Management Service (NOMS). The strategy has two strands: offenders who present a high risk of serious harm to others, and workforce development. This article primarily considers the first of these. The strategy builds upon the learning so far from the Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder (DSPD) programme and democratic therapeutic communities in prisons. This indicates the need for NOMS and the NHS to take joint responsibility for the assessment, treatment and management of this population and to deliver services, where appropriate, through joint operations. A greater focus is required on the early identification of personality disordered offenders who present a high risk of serious harm to others, leading to an active pathway of intervention predominately based in the criminal justice system (CJS).

Details

Mental Health Review Journal, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-9322

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Mental Health Review Journal, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-9322

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2024

Sophie Wootton, Sophia Tkazky and Henriette Bergstrøm

The purpose of this study is to investigate how mock jurors’ experiences of deliberations are impacted by the defendant having a personality disorder.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how mock jurors’ experiences of deliberations are impacted by the defendant having a personality disorder.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative approach to explore mock jurors’ experiences during the deliberations of a fictional defendant, Sarah Priest. Ten participants formed two mock juries, and each mock jury were given two case studies to deliberate. Case study one described Priest as having “Severe Personality Disorder, Borderline Pattern” whereas case study two described Priest as having “Complex Mental Health Problems”. There were no changes to the content of the case studies aside from the change in language used to describe the defendant.

Findings

An inductive thematic analysis identified two main themes relating to juror experience: “Interaction with Other Mock Jurors” and “Language as a Barrier to a Verdict”. Participants constructed that prosocial interactions with other mock jurors in the deliberations helped them make a verdict decision, but some of these interactions led to disagreements between participants due to a wide variation of opinion. Second, the different description of the defendant in each case study were constructed to have made the deliberations and decision-making difficult, but for different reasons. In case study one, a lack of knowledge surrounding BPD was the reason for this difficulty, and in case study two, participants thought that the applicability of diminished responsibility criteria were unclear, making it hard to reach a verdict.

Practical implications

The findings have key implications for the judicial system; common experiences can be identified and recorded to implement procedures to protect jurors from adverse experiences.

Originality/value

There is a lack of studies that have investigated juror experience in the UK, and the few studies available have used a quantitative methodology. The approach taken in the current study is, therefore, unique in a UK context. The findings have key implications for the judicial system; common experiences can be identified and recorded to implement procedures to protect jurors from adverse experiences.

Details

The Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-8794

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Article
Publication date: 9 March 2015

Alice L. Bennett

The purpose of this paper is to explore the range of personality disorder diagnoses and levels of psychopathy as assessed by the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) associated…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the range of personality disorder diagnoses and levels of psychopathy as assessed by the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) associated with treatment discontinuation in a sample of adult male prisoners.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 92 male offenders in a high secure prison personality disorder treatment unit was analysed. PCL-R and personality disorder diagnoses were predicted as being related to increased treatment dropout.

Findings

Having a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder was related to treatment dropout, but PCL-R total scores were not. There was a trend for a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder being associated with remaining in treatment.

Research limitations/implications

The current study highlights that narcissistic personality disorder can be associated with treatment dropout, warranting further exploration as to why this is the case.

Practical implications

Managing responsivity issues for those presenting with a personality disorder diagnosis could be effective in maximising treatment engagement from this specific offender group.

Originality/value

Although treatment dropout has been explored previously, this is the first study to explore treatment dropout at a specialised unit designed specifically to provide treatment for this client group.

Details

Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-3841

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2012

Jon Taylor and Catrin Morrissey

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the rationale for appropriate treatment for offenders with personality disorder and intellectual disability co‐morbid with…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the rationale for appropriate treatment for offenders with personality disorder and intellectual disability co‐morbid with intellectual disability (ID), and to describe a specific treatment model.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a narrative review of approaches to treatment for offenders with personality disorder and draws on the available research for the treatment of personality disordered offenders without ID as well as the treatment of offenders with ID.

Findings

The relevance and validity of the construct of personality disorder in intellectual disability is reviewed. Evidence from treatment of personality disorder in mainstream populations is summarized. A treatment model, which integrates adapted cognitive behavioural programmes with a social milieu approach, is then described. It is argued that this treatment model addresses the criminogenic, psychological and social needs of those with personality disorder and intellectual disability.

Practical implications

Services being developed for people with both intellectual disability and personality disorder should take account of the literature on treatment of mainstream personality disorder when developing treatment models.

Originality/value

There are few published papers concerning treatment approaches with offenders with intellectual disability and personality disorder. This descriptive paper will be of interest to clinicians working with such populations.

Details

The British Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6646

Keywords

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