When people break the law and it is decided by a court that they broke the law because they were mentally unwell at the time they don't go to the normal court. The person is put under a branch of the Mental Health Court called the Mental Health Review Tribunal and in some cases might be held in a high security mental health facility until the Mental Health Courts decide that the person can go back to the community.Sometimes people are held for a very long time.
A few of the people in the forensic units have hurt or killed others when they were unwell and when they become well again they are often very sad and confused by what happened.
Often the people they hurt are their own families
Some of the other people who are detained have done minor and often silly things. Proving that they are well enough to return to their lives can be difficult.
This site has been created by families and friends of the patients of the forensic units at "The Park Centre for Mental Health" we have hoping to be able to share some information with each other. The Park has a number of other Services and you can find out about them at Other Facilities at The Park
This site is a private effort for the use of the families at the forensic units and we do not represent any organisation although we have documented some links to some very useful organisation see Services that can Help
Because we are just families and friends, you are also not to regard anything we say as advice. Where ever possible we have provided links to credible and "official' information, anything else on this site is merely our opinion and like all opinions should be taken with a grain of salt - in our opinion.
The families who have become involved with these forensic units are often very traumatized we have to insist that people are polite and respectful.
There are some resources else where for Victims of Crime which some of the families have found to be useful.
Do you remember?