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A Trans Tasman reflection of working as an Occupational Therapist within
a custodial environment OTNZ/WNA Conference 2019
Ros Jennings
Once upon a time….
Forensic Occupational Therapy
• When something is described as forensic you usually mean that is has to do with finding evidence to solve a crime. It could also mean that it has to do with the courts or legal system.
• In New Zealand the Forensic services are regional, and fall under 5 lead DHBs.
Occupational Therapy in Prison in Australia
• State based regional services, operating within a different health care structure.
• Co staffed bed based units within private and public prisons in Victoria.
• Specialist roles
• My experience
Occupational Therapy in Prison in Aotearoa/NZ
• There have been Occupational Therapists working in corrections in various roles for some time.
• The recent establishment of the 3 Intervention and Support Practice teams has seen the development of the first discipline specific roles.
Intervention and Support Practice Team
• In New Zealand, we acknowledge that prisoners who self-harm need extra support, and that significant resources go into to caring for those vulnerable to self-harm or suicide.
• A new mode of care was developed enabling staff to take a more therapeutic and long-term approach with vulnerable prisoners.
Intervention and Support Practice Team
• 3 Pilot sites across New Zealand.
• Intervention and Support Practice Team (ISPT) –multidisciplinary clinical team supported by custodial staff
• Assess and treat prisoners who are vulnerable to self-harm and suicide
Mental Health Care in Prisons
• The ISP teams complement existing services
• Primary Health Team
• External Service providers• Regional Forensics Psychiatric Services• Mental Health Clinicians• ACC Counselling• Packages of Care
What is the Occupational Therapy role
• Comprehensive Assessment and Care Planning
• Discipline specific assessments
• Intervention
• Education
• Evaluation
Applying an occupational framework
• Person
• Environment
• Occupations
Considerations of working in a custodial setting
• Safety and security are paramount• There are many challenges• This population have so many needs• Time• Communication• Importance of self care
Evidence considerations
• Research has highlighted that there has been an increase in publications with a focus on forensic occupational therapy.
• It has also been suggested that supervision of research students is a potential to assist with strengthening the research base. Hitch et al 2016
