Occupational Therapists' Perspectives of the Needs of Women in Medium Secure Units

Abstract

The Department of Health and Home Office (1992) formally acknowledged women in forensic provision as being a vulnerable group, with neglected needs in terms of care and treatment. It also clearly identified a role for occupational therapy in meeting these needs through involvement in multi-agency cooperation. The aim of this investigation was to ascertain if, from an occupational therapy perspective, the needs of women in medium secure care were being met. A postal questionnaire was administered to 62 therapists working in medium secure provision in England, with a response rate of 73%. The data generated identified occupational therapists' perceptions of female client needs and the intervention available to women in medium secure care and provided a snapshot of therapists' views in relation to current issues in secure care. The findings demonstrated that occupational therapists working in medium secure care had a good understanding of female client needs and tailored their intervention to be as gender-sensitive as possible within the limitations imposed by the environment. The study also highlighted the requirement for further research to investigate the needs of women in forensic environments from their own perspectives.