Trauma-Informed Forensic Practice argues for placing trauma-informed
practice and thinking at the heart of forensic services. It is written
by forensic practitioners and service users from prison and forensic
mental health, youth justice, and social care settings.
It provides a compassionate theoretical framework for understanding the
links between trauma and offending. It also gives practical guidance on
working with issues that are particularly associated with a history of
trauma in forensic settings, such as self-harm and substance use, as
well as on working with groups who are particularly vulnerable to
trauma, such as those with intellectual disabilities and military
veterans. Finally, it considers organisational aspects of delivering
trauma-informed care, not just for service users but for the staff who
work in challenging and dangerous forensic environments.
The book is the first of its kind to address such a broad range of
issues and settings. It is aimed at forensic practitioners who wish to
develop their own trauma-informed practice or trauma-responsive
services. It also provides an accessible introduction to trauma-informed
forensic practice for undergraduate and postgraduate students.