A comprehensive literature review of Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT): Directions for practice, policy and research

Cuddeback, Gary S.; Simpson, Jennie; Wu, Juliet

doi:10.1080/00207411.2020.1717054

Cited by 20 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…The outcomes of this study therefore emphasize the importance of ForFACT teams to include practitioners with sufficient experience and skills within the forensic psychiatric field. This recommendation is in line with Cuddeback et al ( 2020 ). In addition, the collaboration of ForFACT with other mental health institutions is of great importance to correspond to the complex and various needs of ForFACT patients, and to provide them with tailored care.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…The majority of the ForFACT patients' treatment goals are defined within the categories of psychological care, impulse-control or aggression regulation, and practical matters. In addition, an international literature review indicated that FACT patients are not necessarily different from ACT patients, but their complex needs are (Cuddeback et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is important to prevent patients from receiving unnecessary prolonged treatment by continually monitoring the possibilities of patients to be referred to a less intensive/outreaching type of care. In line with Cuddeback et al (2020), ForFACT needs to include clear discharge and transition strategies, especially for patients who experience problems on the border of general and forensic care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, if these individuals do get sentenced to prison, they should be provided with an appropriate type of aftercare. However, successful (re)integration into the community for justice-involved individuals with mental illness seems to be difficult (Cuddeback et al, 2020 ). For example, they experience difficulties in accessing supportive housing, finding employment, and accessing the appropriate type of (follow-up) treatment (Mallik-Kane and Visher, 2008 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, an adaption of the ACT-model was developed in the beginning of the twenty-first century, called Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) (Lamberti and Weisman, 2010 ). In contrast to regular ACT teams, which primarily focus on increasing well-being of patients, FACT teams also focus on reducing and preventing recidivism, and improving safety in society (Cuddeback et al, 2020 ). To achieve this, FACT teams focus on risk management and relapse prevention by applying various forensic tools, such as risk assessment and offense analysis, upon which treatment goals are based.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dutch Forensic Flexible Assertive Community Treatment: Operating on the Interface Between General Mental Health Care and Forensic Psychiatric Care

Smeekens¹,

Sappelli²,

Vries³

et al. 2021

Front. Psychol.

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In the Netherlands, Forensic Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (ForFACT) is used as a specialized form of outpatient intensive treatment. This outreaching type of treatment is aimed at patients with severe and long lasting psychiatric problems that are at risk of engaging in criminal behavior. In addition, these patients often suffer from addiction and experience problems in different areas of their life (e.g., financial debt, unemployment, or lack of daytime activities). The aim of this exploratory study was to gain more insight into the characteristics of the ForFACT patient population. More knowledge about these patients may enhance the effectiveness of ForFACT and therefore (further) reduce the risk of recidivism. Data on 132 ForFACT patients were gathered by studying electronic patient records, criminal records, and by conducting semi-structured interviews with practitioners and patients. Additionally, as part of a cognitive screening, two screening instruments were conducted to gain insight into intelligence and possible mild cognitive impairments. This article gives a broad description of the ForFACT patient population, including demographic data and context variables, diagnostics, recidivism risk and offense history, and aspects related to care. Furthermore, several recommendations are given to further improve ForFACT. Based on the results it can be concluded that the ForFACT patient population shows a high degree of diversity in complex care needs and responsivity issues. Therefore, this article highlights the necessity for ForFACT to collaborate with other mental health institutions, as well as probation officers, and forensic or criminal justice institutions. Moreover, it is important to continually check the inclusion and exclusion criteria when admitting patients to ForFACT, and to examine whether ForFACT is still the most adequate care for patients or if they need to be referred. In addition, the results emphasize the importance of cognitive screening for forensic outpatients. Finally, this study zooms in on the interface between forensic psychiatric care and general mental health care.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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