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Clinical supervision may support forensic mental health nurses with personal and professional growth in a work environment characterized by therapeutic, ethical, and practical challenges.The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of forensic mental health nurses participating in a clinical supervision program.Seven forensic mental health nurses and two allied health professionals, working in a high-security forensic mental health hospital, were interviewed regarding their experiences of participating in a clinical supervision program.Participants expressed a need for clinical supervision and were motivated to participate in the program. Benefits of clinical supervision experienced by participants included improved communication with their colleagues, being supported in their career development, and developing habits and techniques to reflect on practice issues. Participants described being able to connect with their supervisor, enabled by both trust and confidence in the supervisor's expertise.Staff showed engagement in the clinical supervision process and expressed experiencing positive outcomes related to personal and professional growth and development.To support nurses with the forensic mental health context-specific challenges they face, organizations should enable and promote access to clinical supervision. Considerations for forensic mental health organizations to increase uptake and effectiveness of clinical supervision include use of externally based clinical supervisors with adequate skills and experience with providing clinical supervision to clinical staff who work in a secure environment.

Background Correctional health and forensic mental health (FMH) staff may experience vicarious trauma (VT) as a result of cumulative and repeated exposure to traumatic material in their professional roles. Aim This study aimed to determine the incidence of VT in a sample of correctional health and FMH staff. Methods A cross-sectional survey including 135 correctional health and FMH staff participating in a VT management program was conducted. Survey respondents completed the Vicarious Trauma Scale and Impacts of Events Scale-Revised. Findings Most respondents had moderate or high VT (n = 78, 57.8%, and n = 40, 29.6%, respectively). Low psychological distress was reported, with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms being experienced either mildly or not at all by most respondents. A significant relationship between total Vicarious Trauma Scale score and total Impacts of Events Scale-Revised score (r = 0.471, p = 0.000) was found, indicating that a higher level of VT was associated with an increased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. A higher level of VT was also associated with increased reports of avoidance, intrusion, and hyperarousal (r = 0.382, p = 0.000; r = 0.489, p = 0.000; and r = 0.440, p = 0.000, respectively). Conclusion Correctional health and FMH staff are at risk of developing VT and associated psychological distress. Implications for clinical fmh nursing practice Correctional health and FMH organizations have the responsibility to ensure nurses are aware of the effects of VT and to provide opportunities for nurses to participate in VT education and management programs.

Little is known about the experience of people with autism in custody. A review of the literature that explored the relationship between autism and criminality and the criminal justice detention system was conducted. Literature suggests that people with autism are potentially overrepresented within the criminal justice system. There is little research that has examined the experiences of people with autism spectrum disorders in custody. There is very little to guide service design to develop autism support services for people in prison.