Unit.B.2.5.
Forensic Occupational/Recreational Therapist
Australia |
focus
points
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Canada |
focus
points
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"In Alberta,
occupational services for forensic clients can be found
in a variety of settings ranging from institutional, penal
and free standing mental hospitals to the community"
(Taylor, Brintnell, Shim & Wilson, 1997, 1997, p. 6).
"Currently
five full time occupational therapists work at Alberta Hospital
Edmonton and a full time equivalent works in the community
program. There are five forensic units at the Alberta Hospital
and although assessment and treatment in all units are based
on the occupational performance model, the specific role
of the occupational therapist changes according to the unit
philosophy" (Taylor et al, 1997, p. 6).
"Responsibilities
of therapists range from basic assessment and treatment
to making recommendations to the Alberta Board of Review
during the deposition hearing" (Taylor et al, 1997,
p. 6).
"The hospital
treatment programs can include basic living skills, (including
food preparation), stress and anger management, work skills,
employment readiness and activity groups" (Taylor et
al, 1997, p. 6).
"Forensic
occupational therapy practice should not be limited to mental
health units within the penal institution as general inmates
also have deficits in occupational performance. At least
one quarter of the general forensic population have a psychiatric
illness that requires some sort of treatment" (Farnsworth,
Morgan & Fernando, 1987; cited in Taylor et al, 1997,
p. 6).
International |
focus
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Roles for Occupational
Therapists within Prisons
New Zealand |
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"Occupational
therapists primary concern is to rehabilitate criminal offenders
so that they can live in a satisfactory manner in the community
following release" (Seek, 1989, p. 18).
"The basic
philosophy of occupational therapy is that each person has
needs of work, rest and play. They are entitled to opportunities
to maximize potential, within cultural, family and community
environments. This domain of concern is one that many professionals
are aware of especially as it relates to prison settings"
(Seek, 1989, p. 18).
"Seek (1989)
recognized the potential for OT intervention, particularly
in the pre-release stage for prisoners" (Hood, 1998,
p. 140).
United Kingdom |
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points
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"Occupational
therapy was clearly identified through the Reed Report as
an integral part of the treatment team" (Flood, 1993;
cited in Taylor et al, 1997, p. 6).
"Lloyd
(1995) concluded there was opportunities for OT's to contribute
to the developments taking place with forensic psychiatry"
(Hood, 1998, p. 140).
"In order
for a comprehensive service to be provided for mentally
disordered offenders, the expertise of the various members
of the multidisciplinary team has a key role to play"
(Lloyd, 1995, p. 209).
"Occupational
therapists with their focus on promoting essential daily
living skills, have a potential to play a vital role in
working with mentally disordered offenders" (Lloyd,
1995, p. 209).
"This (mentally
ill offender) client group may demonstrate a significant
level of dysfunction in one or more of their occupational
performance components of self-maintenance, work and leisure"
(Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, 1989;
cited in Lloyd, 1995, p. 209).
"Occupational
therapists expertise centers on activity analysis and graded
activity programs, to assist clients achieve their potential
for successful independent living" (Wilson, 1983; cited
in Lloyd, 1995, p. 209).
"The aim
of the pilot project in 1994 was to identify the need of
an occupational therapy service in HMP Birmingham, and to
investigate the contribution that occupational therapy could
make in relation to professional core skills, needs of inmates
and the institution" (Hood, 1998, p. 139).
"The pilot
project findings by Garner and Sackett (1994) highlighted
that the Occupational Therapy (OT) Service provision had
been effective in addressing a variety of prisoners needs,
including sleep disturbance, stress/anxiety, depression,
self harm, suicide risk, communication and cognitive defects"
(Hood, 1998, p. 139).
"The project
recommendations were to continue to provide and further
develop the OT service within HMP Birmingham" (Hood,
1998, p. 139). Reasons for referrals to Occupational Therapists
within prisons have included:
- anxiety stress
management;
- sleep disturbance;
- counseling;
- self harm
suicide prevention;
- and communication/
behavioral difficulties (Hood, 1998, p. 140).
"In order
for a comprehensive service to be provided for mentally
disordered offenders, the expertise of the various members
of the multidisciplinary team has a key role to play"
(Lloyd, 1995, p. 209).
"Occupational
therapists with their focus on promoting essential daily
living skills, have a potential to play a vital role in
working with mentally disordered offenders" (Lloyd,
1995, p. 209).
"This (mentally
ill offender) client group may demonstrate a significant
level of dysfunction in one or more of their occupational
performance components of self-maintenance, work and leisure"
(Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, 1989;
cited in Lloyd, 1995, p. 209).
"Occupational
therapists expertise centers on activity analysis and graded
activity programs, to assist clients achieve their potential
for successful independent living" (Wilson, 1983; cited
in Lloyd, 1995, p. 209).
United States |
focus
points
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Insert forensic
focus points here
Focus Points
Reference
Hood, C. (1998).
Occupational therapy in prison. Psychiatric Care, 5 (4),
139-142.
Lloyd, C. (1995).
Trends in forensic psychiatry. British Journal of Occupational
Therapy, 58 (5), 209-213.
Seek, N. (1989).
The New Zealand Prison System: The Potential Role of Occupational
Therapy. Journal of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health,
4, 17-23.
Taylor, E.A.,
Brintnell, S., Shim, M. & Wilson, S. (1997). Forensic
practice for occupational therapists - the Alberta experience.
(WFOT) World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 36
(11), 6-10.
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B - Forensic Psychiatry > Section B.2.0. Forensic Roles > Unit.B.2.5.
Forensic Occupational/Recreational Therapist
