Correctional Mental Health

Criminal Justice Court Related Services

Forensic treatment services includes research, risk assessments, testing (evaluations), treatment, expert testimony, and/or specialized treatment services to individuals involved with criminal justice or civil court systems. Forensic mental health services can vary widely depending on the circumstances of each client. For example, in some cases, forensic mental health services are for people who have mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and could be, are, or have been a risk of some kind to other people. This risk can be linked to their disorders. These forensic mental health clients, juvenile and adult, are usually referred for services through community agencies. This includes police, courts, adult and juvenile probation, and prison. Forensic mental health professionals in criminal cases have specialized training that helps them offer evidence-based practices as well as therapeutic strategies shown to be successful with treating and improving the lives of the individuals, most of whom have committed one or more criminal offenses. The treatment offered usually focuses on an individual’s offending behavior as well as their mental health and/or behavioral problems. The overarching goal is to reduce the risk of re-offending and/or work toward rehabilitation and recovery.