Is there a place for restorative justice in forensic mental health hospitals in the United Kingdom? A qualitative study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22421673 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Nikki Basra (University of Derby), Aleksandra Liachenko Monteiro (0000-0001-6433-4008, University of Derby), Aleksandra Monteiro (University of Derby, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-22 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-17 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1321-8719 • E-ISSN: 1934-1687 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13218719.2026.2647811 |
| OpenAlex | W7161478016 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 54 |
This study explored the feasibility of implementing restorative justice (RJ) practices within UK forensic mental health settings. While RJ has seen increasing application in custodial environments, its application in psychiatric hospitals remains limited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine mental health professionals to explore their understanding of RJ, its therapeutic value, and implementation challenges. Thematic analysis generated three themes: challenges to implementation, conditions for suitability, and seeing the potential. Participants were supportive of RJ, recognising its potential to promote rehabilitation of people convicted of criminal offences and aid in victim healing; however concerns were raised around systemic risk aversion, conceptual ambiguity, and lack of training. Findings demonstrated the need for structured frameworks, staff education, and readiness assessments to support RJ integration in forensic psychiatric settings.
Criminal justice · Economic Justice · Forensic psychiatry · Forensic science · Mental health · Project commissioning · Qualitative research · Restorative justice · Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints · Medical Malpractice and Liability Issues · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
Restorative Justice
Measuring bias in self-reported data
Doing a thematic analysis
What is Restorative Justice? Fresh Answers to a Vexed Question
Research and scholarly methods
Toward good practice in thematic analysis
Towards a social constructionist, criticalist, Foucauldian-informed qualitative research approach
Performing restorative justice
The spaces for restorative justice practices in a forensic inpatient mental health hospital
Restorative justice practice in forensic mental health settings
Is restorative justice punishment
Contact between victims and offenders in forensic mental health settings
A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis
Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis
The Psychological Impact of Restorative Justice Practices on Victims of Crimes—a Systematic Review
Self-stigma among criminal offenders
Focus on Brain Health to Improve Care, Treatment, and Rehabilitation in Forensic Psychiatry
Psychopathology—a Precision Tool in Need of Re-sharpening
Creating a people-centred view of risk and restorative justice
Retracted Article
Handle with care; considerations of Braun and Clarke's approach to thematic analysis
Pathways between types of crime and criminal social identity
Using thematic analysis in psychology
| Highly cited | No |
|---|