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Objective: Violence risk assessment assumes a critical medico-legal role addressing offender/patient needs and informing forensic mental health decision making. Yet questions remain over the cross-cultural applicability of such measures. In their current form, violence risk instruments may not reflect the unique life and cultural experiences of Indigenous Australians rendering them culturally unsafe.Conclusions: To realize equitable forensic assessment, it is necessary to ascertain whether there are cultural differences across risk factors for violence and that risk instruments are validated as culturally appropriate. Greater cross-cultural rigour in forensic mental health risk assessment, research and practice is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses how prisons address the mental health needs of indigenous prisoners. The author cites specific reference of a report "Keeping Our Mob Healthy In and Out of Prison." The author talks about aboriginal mental health initiatives. The author also mentions the emergence of Reconciliation Action Plans and Aboriginal health frameworks.