Living 'in between' outside and inside: The forensic psychiatric unit as an impermanent assemblage

Ian M Tucker; Steven D Brown; Ava Kanyeredzi; Laura McGrath; Paula Reavey

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.10.009

Living 'in between' outside and inside: The forensic psychiatric unit as an impermanent assemblage

Health Place. 2019 Jan:55:29-36. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.10.009. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Authors

Ian M Tucker¹, Steven D Brown², Ava Kanyeredzi³, Laura McGrath⁴, Paula Reavey⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, University of East London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].
² School of People and Organisations, Open University, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ School of Psychology, University of East London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ School of Psychology, University of East London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Division of Psychology, London South Bank University, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 30466813
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.10.009

Abstract

This paper presents analysis from 'a study of staff and patient experiences of the restrictive environments of a forensic psychiatric unit. The paper conceptualises the forensic unit as an impermanent assemblage, enacted in and through practices that hold a future life outside the unit simultaneously near, yet far. We show how the near-far relations between life inside and outside the unit operate in three ways; 1) in relation to the 'care pathway', 2) practices of dwelling, and 3) creating and maintaining connections to life 'beyond' the unit. The paper concludes with a discussion about possible ways to overcome the limitations to recovery that can arise through practices of impermanence.

MeSH terms

Behavior Control*
Female
Forensic Psychiatry*
Humans
Independent Living
Interviews as Topic
Male
Mental Disorders / psychology
Mental Disorders / therapy*
Photography
Professional-Patient Relations*
Psychiatric Department, Hospital
Psychotherapy, Group