Exploring forensic environments: how do environmental factors influence individual outcomes for residents and staff? A systematic review
| Published date | 13 August 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-06-2018-0020 |
| Pages | 203-217 |
| Date | 13 August 2018 |
| Author | Karine Greenacre,Emma Palmer |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
Exploring forensic environments: how do
environmental factors influence individual
outcomes for residents and staff?
A systematic review
Karine Greenacre and Emma Palmer
Abstract
Purpose –Increasing attention is focusing on the role of environments in the rehabilitation of offenders, with a
range of reported outcomes in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to explore forensic environments
and the outcomes and changes that result, in order to assess the current knowledge in this area andto inform
current and future practice.
Design/methodology/approach –Using a systematic review approachwith an extensive literature search
and robust application of appraisal methods, nine studies were identified. The studies included one mixed
method study (n ¼1), qualitative methods (n¼4) that utilised thematic analysi s, interpretative
phenomenologicalanalysis and Foucauldian discourse analysis and quantitative methods (n ¼4) that utilised
the responses to psychometric measures including the EssenCES and correctional institution environment
scale (CIES) to assess the quality and outcomes associatedwith environments in forensic settings.
Findings –Three superordinate themes were identified: factors required for successful environments,
factors that influence successful environments and factors affected by successful environments.
Research limitations/implications –Further research would be beneficial around motivation, as it appears
to influence the success of environments and be a potential outcome of environments. Further research
might usefully explore the ideal time in services, for optimal outcomes in order to advise those currently
commissioning services of this nature.
Originality/value –In addition to outcomes, this review found factors required for forensic environments that
are consistent with previous literature within the field, and factors that might influence how successful
environments can be.
Keywords Rehabilitation, Forensic, Enabling environment, Milieu, Therapeutic
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
Background
Environmental factors in forensic settings are receiving increasing levels of attention to help
understand custodial behaviour and contribute towards a rehabilitative agenda for offenders
both within custody and after release. “Where”rehabilitation work occurs, for example, prisons,
hospitals, etc., and the impact that it can have, is perhaps the least researched principle of
models of rehabilitation that focus on “what works”and “how”(e.g. risk, need and responsivity
model: Andrews et al., 1990; Andrews and Bonta, 2010). By examining “where”rehabilitation
occurs, understanding the mechanisms at work and associated outcomes, we can contribute to
the broader agenda of rehabilitation and risk reduction for offenders.
Research has identified a number of outcomes linked to modifiable factors within environments.
In non-forensic settings, environmental distraction, e.g. noise, was found to link to individuals
Karine Greenacre is based at
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS
Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK.
Emma Palmer is based at
College of Medicine Biological
Sciences and Psychology,
University of Leicester,
Leicester, UK.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-06-2018-0020 VOL. 22 NO. 4 2018, pp. 203-217, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
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PAG E 20 3
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