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An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including criminal justice, forensic mental health workers, and child sexual abuse.

This contribution attempts to explore the use of a variety of literary sources as aids or 'prompts' to understanding those offenders and offender-patients whose mental states often raise considerable anxieties in those charged with their management. The word 'prompt' is borrowed from the work of my friend, the late doctor Murray Cox, and his co-worker Alice Theilgaard in their seminal work Shakespeare as Prompter (1994). The author of the present article hopes that its content will enable readers to focus more clearly on why we sometimes fail our offenders and offender-patients; in particular, through the mechanism of denial. The use of dramatic presentation when proffered with a unique blend of force and sensitivity can permit us to view puzzlement and horror from a safe distance and, at the same time, encourage us to increase our empathic understanding and professional practice. Most of the examples cited are brief allusions but, because her history is so compellingly applicable to our concerns in the present contribution, the 'case' of Lady Macbeth is considered in more detail. Finally, I would note some very wise words by Cox and Theilgaard (1994) in a caveat note to the reader: 'Should the focus on therapy ever become occluded by preoccupation with poetic association, clinical skills would be diminished, distraction ensue and therapeutic contact deteriorate' (not numbered). In the material that follows readers should bear such a cautionary note in mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers both a literature review, and perspectives on the definition and nature of depressive illness, its various modes of presentation, and its significance in male, female and adolescent populations. It provides a brief review of some of the ideas about the aetiology of depression, outlines how to recognize it and discusses its relevance to forensic populations. Finally it suggests how early detection of depression and, consequently, more adequate access to treatment intervention, can be facilitated. Unfortunately, the presence of depression is sometimes overlooked and therefore missed (particularly in males) sometimes with tragic consequences for the sufferer and for society. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of working for over 50 years in the fields of criminal justice and forensic psychiatry.

The report into the care, treatment, and supervision of Michael Stone is commented upon; special attention is paid to questions of anonymity, confidentiality, inter-agency communication, and media conduct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The December 2006 edition of Probation Journal contained an article by David Smith entitled 'Making sense of psychoanalysis in criminological theory and probation practice'. This paper attempts to extend the parameters of Smith's discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution is essentially a highly selective, personal and anecdotal account of some 55 years' experience of working in the criminal justice and forensic-psychiatric (mental health) fields. It makes no pretence of being an academic presentation; thus only a modest number of references are cited in the text. The article makes no attempt at being all-inclusive; for this reason it could be criticised for being somewhat idiosyncratic. Those seeking further information concerning some of the examples cited may care to consult the brief personal bibliography at the end of the text and the references. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the problems inherent in demonstrating the relationships between mentally-disordered states and crimes of violence. Particular mental states are selected, somewhat arbitrarily, for this purpose. The article argues that such relationships also need to be considered against current social cancerns with public protection and risk prevention in the light of media influences. Practice concerns are addressed throughout the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the withholding of psychotherapy from violent and abusive psychiatric hospital patients in Great Britain's National Health Service. Rhetoric of violence; Man's potential for cruelty and destructiveness; Significant threats of risk of serious injury.

Although there is an abundance of literature dealing with the techniques of work with offenders and offender-patients, less attention has been paid to alternative and additional means of invoking empathy and insight into behaviours that often produce anxiety, confusion and, on occasion, abhorrence. This article attempts to redress the balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the management of severely psychopathically disordered individuals in Great Britain. Need for public protection; Risk of causing harm to other individuals; Increase of crimes.

Now in his 86th year, the author offers brief comments on some of the differences in the setting and practice of probation compared with those described by Jake Phillips in a recent issue of Probation Journal (Phillips, 2014). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The offence of arson is examined within a very brief cultural and historical context; reference is made to the law and the size of the problem in the UK and elsewhere. Some typologies are put forward and proffered for improving understanding and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dangerous behaviour, for the purpose of this paper is confined to the commission of serious harm to others and not to self. Such behaviour is examined within the context of definnitions of such behaviour, and issues that arise in respect of sentencing (including past and current practices). Certain ethical issues are considered and the paper concludes with a detailed consideration of aspects of management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some characteristics, drawn from a small sample of the series 'Pioneers in Forensic Psychiatry' and from a postal enquiry to thirty-seven UK consultant forensic psychiatrists are described; an attempt is made to provide a limited 'profile'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the interrelationships of social services and medical education in Great Britain. These two concepts were discovered to have history and formative influences with each other. According to a report of the country's Interdepartmental Committee on Medical Schools, medical students must be able to ascertain their teacher's support on medical, social and other welfare workers for their patient's problems against their patient's domestic environment to be able to develop the right attitude. Part of their psychiatric training was their escorted visits to their patient's relatives.

Brief comment is offered on Crichton's paper on the literary presentation of delusional jealousy as suggested in Othello. It is proposed that, if the Othello allusion is considered to be inappropriate, it might be wiser to describe the condition as the ‘Leontes Syndrome’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article places risk assessment and management in criminal justice and mental health in brief historical context. It then considers concepts of risk and dangerousness, before examining the extent to which being ‘wise after the event’ may be helpful. Ways in which risk assessment and management might be improved and attempts to de-mystify the process are then discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]