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A research team's perspective on the editorial ‘ R evolutionary reform in psychiatric care in Italy : the abolition of forensic mental hospitals’
Author(s) -
Di Lorito Claudio,
Dening Tom,
Völlm Birgit
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
criminal behaviour and mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1471-2857
pISSN - 0957-9664
DOI - 10.1002/cbm.2044
Subject(s) - mental health , library science , psychology , mental health care , psychiatry , sociology , medicine , computer science
The editorial by Traverso & Traverso “Revolutionary reform in psychiatric care in Italy: The abolition of forensic mental hospitals” represents key work to raise awareness around the reform which led to the definite closure of forensic psychiatric hospitals in Italy. Given the revolutionary underpinnings and implications of Law 81/2014 and that little is known about the reform, such work is crucial, as it encourages reflection among professionals, clinicians, academics and policy makers. Cost optimisation, reducing length of stay and timely transition from secure to community-based services are shared priorities in different countries. We deem it equally essential to add empirical research to the discourse around the reform, which, as highlighted by Traverso and Traverso ‘ensures the progress made is defensible’.