American forensic psychiatrists who work in state institutions.
B. Harry, G. J. Maier and R. D. Miller,
Bull. Amer. Acad. Psychiatry & the Law
18(1): 99-106, 1990.
The authors surveyed a sample of American forensic psychiatrists who work in state institutions. As
a group, their respondents tended to be middle-aged, white men, who had little formal training in
forensic psychiatry, felt somewhat alienated from their peers, yet who were Board certified in general
psychiatry. They tended to be involved primarily in the direct treatment of patients, and most often
expressed concerns about the care-and prominent lack of aftercare--received by forensic patients.
They also perceived a sense of patient futility in the institutional forensic setting. The authors
conclude by recommending that AAPL take a more active role in appealing to and representing such
forensic psychiatrists.