Interviewing people given a diagnosis of personality disorder in forensic settings

Abstract

Extensive histories of complex developmental trauma and insecure attachment are widespread among people given a diagnosis of personality disorder in forensic settings, and are likely to be important predisposing factors that contribute to their offending behavior. In working with this population, it is important to bear this in mind, and helpful to formulate clients' challenging behaviors as a set of learned responses to perceived threat, or as survival strategies. Such an approach not only makes the interviewing process more effective, it also helps to avoid perpetuating destructive patterns of behavior and relationship between forensic clients and people in authority. We present seven principles for effective interviewing with this population; a) careful preparation; b) a constant focus on the therapeutic relationship; c) providing structure and containment; d) adopting a flexible approach; e) managing therapyinterfering behaviors; f) obtaining supervision; and g) adopting a whole-team approach.

Psychological and the physical health impacts of forensic workplace trauma

“…The focus of the current study is those working with people with a personality disorder with forensic histories (Turgoose and Maddox, 2017). Forensic patients with a personality disorder present with complex developmental experiences and offending histories (Willmot and Evershed, 2018) which may subsequently impact on those providing care and treatment (Carr-Walker et al , 2010; Freestone, et al , 2015). The complexity of this population is that staff are also at risk of directly encountering aggressive and violent (Kurtz and Turner, 2010).…”

Psychologically informed practice (PIP) within the offender personality disorder pathway: Towards establishing an evidence base for approved premises

“…Offenders diagnosed with personality disorder, compared to their counterparts without such a diagnosis, have been associated with an increased risk of violent recidivism (Coid, Hickey, Kahtan, Zhang, & Yang, 2007; Coid, Kahtan, Gault, & Jarman, 1999), elevated rates of morbidity and mortality (Black, Gunter, Loveless, Allen, & Sieleni, 2010; Krasnova, Eaton, & Samuels, 2018; Repo‐Tiihonen, Virkkunen, & Tiihonen, 2010), frequent interpersonal crises (Willmot & Evershed, 2018) increased rates of treatment programme dropout (Andrews, Issakidis, & Carter, 2001; Percudani, Belloni, Contini, & Barbui, 2002), and correctional staff burnout (Freestone et al, 2015). Accordingly, offenders diagnosed with personality disorder present considerable management and treatment challenges to professionals working within criminal justice settings (Jamieson & Taylor, 2004; Knauer, Walker, & Roberts, 2017; Rendu, Moran, Patel, Knapp, & Mann, 2002) and a need to establish evidenced‐based approaches for their effective management and treatment is therefore imperative.…”