In recent years, fire-raising has become an increasing problem in Britain and elsewhere, and now involves many professionals in the investigation and management of those who set fires. The motives of fire-raisers are complex and their behaviour is hard to change. Herschel Prins sets the problem in an historical and anthropological context, examines the size of the problem, its investigation and motivation, in a way which will enable more effective management.

How responsible are mentally disordered offenders for their crimes? Aimed specifically at understanding the social context of the serious criminal offender who is deemed to be mentally abnormal, this new edition of Offenders, Deviants or Patients? takes into account the many changes in legal practice, methods of treatment and attitudes since the first edition was published in 1980. Herschel Prins examines the relationship between mental abnormality and criminal behaviour, the extent to which this relationship is used (or misused) in the criminal courts and the various facilities that are currently available for treatment. Unique in its multidisciplinary approach Offenders, Deviants or Patients? will be invaluable to all those who come into contact with serious offenders.

In recent years, fire-raising has become an increasing problem in Britain and elsewhere, and now involves many professionals in the investigation and management of those who set fires. The motives of fire-raisers are complex and their behaviour is hard to change. Herschel Prins sets the problem in an historical and anthropological context, examines the size of the problem, its investigation and motivation, in a way which will enable more effective management.

Offenders, Deviants or Patients? provides a practical approach to understanding both the social context and treatment of mentally disordered offenders. Taking into account the current public concern, often heightened by media sensationalism, it addresses issues such as sex offending, homicide and other acts of serious bodily harm. This fourth edition comes after extensive new research by academics and professionals in the field and reflects recent changes in law, policy and practice, including: new sex offending legislation proposals to amend homicide legislation a new mental health act. Using new case examples, Herschel Prins examines the relationship between mental disorders and crime and looks at the ways in which it should be dealt with by the mental health care and criminal justice systems. Offenders, Deviants or Patients? is unique in its multidisciplinary approach and will be invaluable to all those who come into contact with serious offenders or those who study crime and criminal behaviour.

Violence directed towards others and violence directed towards oneself cause an immense amount of physical and psychological damage – to the harmed and the harmful person alike, to their families, and to the public at large. Managing clinical risk is an authoritative manual for practitioners working with harmful men, women, and young people, containing up-to-date information and guidance on what to do and how they can assess and manage clinical risk, communicate their concerns about risk, and account for their decisions about risk management to their clients and to the Courts. This book provides an evidence-based understanding of risk in key areas of practice – violence, sexual violence, firesetting, suicide, and self-harm, working with individuals and organisations alike – and among special groups: women, young people, serving and former military personnel, clients with comorbid presentations, and clients with cognitive impairment. Further, it suggests and describes the skills practitioners need to understand and communicate their concerns to all who need to know about them through coverage of interviewing and risk formulation skills. This is a guidebook to effective practice. All its contributors have a record of research, practice, and considered thinking in the area of clinical risk assessment and management. They all have a wide range of knowledge and experience about the notion of risk, conducting risk management in real world mental health, correctional, and community settings, and about working with clients with a label of high risk. Together, they combine theoretical and research knowledge with a wealth of practical skills in care and management, emphasising the collaborative and recovery-focused nature of modern risk management.

Aimed specifically at understanding the social context of the serious criminal offender who is deemed to be mentally abnormal, this third edition takes into account major changes in the law, attitudes, research findings and procedures.

This book provides a comprehensive look at the issue of firesetting by people with mental disorder.