The Forensic Mental Health Organization

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Forensic care is an anchor in the Dutch process of justice and penitentiary mental health. It continues to  evolve  along with the formation of a multicultural community. Among the different cultures we see universal forensic issues and themes, which are coloured or influenced by specific cultural aspects. Behavioural research and risk-analyses are used by forensic psychologists and psychiatrists in the justice process to give advice about the type of rehabilitation and resocialisation suitable for the individual offender. A comprehensive forensic policy and structure can help in reducing crime, creating  a sense of security, making the work of penitentiary workers more manageable and reducing the numbers in prison. This all leads to a reduction in penitentiary finances and creates more room to care for the mentally ill.

 

Introduction into forensic care and treatment

IMG_0003Forensic care is meant to reduce criminality committed by individuals that come into contact with justice due to their mental disorders and intellectual disability. To reduce the high recidivism risk, treatment and rehabilitation is provided. Depending on the violent or risk behaviour, people need treatment in different security levels and treatment settings. Some people need treatment in a psychiatric clinic, others in a penitential centre. Most forensic people need treatment in a forensic outpatient centre. A forensic behavioural expert gives advice on what kind of treatment is needed for sufficiently managing the risk factors.

Are you interested in our work or do you have questions or comments, contact us.

Contact

Tel: +31 (0) 20 4423221
Mob: +31 (0) 6 25070814
E-mail: *protected email*

consultancy

forensic_mental_health_organization_fmh_mediumFMHO improves the infrastructure with stakeholders (specific: judiciary services, mental health organizations, governmental services etc.) to  provide specialized forensic care together with forensic partners locally. FMHO believes forensic care provides not only the fundamental needs on ethical, affective and medical issues; it is essential for human detention, correct treatment and rehabilitation which make a safer and secure society.

exchanging knowledge

forensic_mental_health_organization_fmh_mediumDue to the severe consequences of decisions about individuals, forensic reports are of a great importance.  Therefore high quality standards are required.  FMHO will initiate cooperation between forensic experts around the world, so that knowledge and experience can be exchanged. By organizing forensic symposia, exchanges and masterclasses, forensic knowledge is shared between professionals working in the forensic field.

initiating forensic projects

forensic_mental_health_organization_fmh_mediumExperience gained in the Dutch forensic field shows us that evidence-based forensic treatment- and rehabilitation projects are important for good forensic care. In cooperation with its partners, FMHO aims to initiate and set up the structures needed. It is important that  forensic programs are initiated and  monitored.

 

The Netherlands

forensischcentrumAn all-round treatment and rehabilitation centre for forensic youth with complex multi-problems: In the Netherlands, in November 2015, we will open a small-scale forensic centre for young people (16-24 years old) that have a high risk of committing crime. Most of them will already have a long history of treatments with insufficient results. In the forensic centre we will offer highly intensive, forensic day- and week practical programs. We will use treatment (group)programs and methods that are scientifically based and developed within the justice and education system. The programs are aimed at treating specific criminal behaviour, such as violent behaviour, sexual violent behaviour, and addiction problems.

 

In addition there are also programs for vulnerable girls that are impressionable and have a high risk of early pregnancies and sexual abuse. Next to the treatment of risk factors that are caused by, intellectual disability and disturbed personality development, we will also work on rehabilitation. We want to pursue an all-in-one multi-system approach where our multidisciplinary team will constantly influence and motivate our young clients towards a positive behavioural change and to making responsible and independent behavioural choices. These young clients are at the beginning of an adult life style and need more and specific treatment to avoid having them fall back on old criminal patterns and behaviour. It costs society a lot of money when treatment and rehabilitation interventions are not in time provided and in line with the problems and intellectual level.
The ideology of a small-scale forensic centre for the young can be locally, nationally and  internationally  applicable.

 

For more information about the Dutch Forensic Centre visit: www.forensischcentrum.com

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Suriname

Since 2014 we have been working together with different stakeholders in Suriname on a forensic vision and implementation model for needed forensic prevention care. Beginning of January 2016 we will open an outpatient forensic centre in Surinam. Within the forensic centre we will offer forensic-psychological research and consultation to the Juvenile Court about high-risk youth with complex behavioural problems that are waiting for their trial. We will offer forensic outpatient treatment and rehabilitation in the forensic centre on a criminal title. There will be a close working cooperation between the Surinam and Dutch team so that forensic expertise and treatment methods as well as specific cultural aspects can be shared.

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Malawi

Margot van Berkel has been active in 2011 as a psychiatrist in Malawi for 8 months. In march 2014 she returned for a couple of weeks. Her experiences are valuable for FMHO. The development of the forensic care in Malawi has caught our interest.

 

Photo copyright  Daniel Maissan

in progress

Developing a forensic policy together with the judicial working group Surinaams Forensisch Instituut(SFI):
- implementing psychiatric and psychological consults during court,
- foundation of a institute for forensic psychiatry and psychology,
- initiating forensic treatment possibilities,
- starting a social rehabilitation program.

Twinning UTSN program
- twinning application for the education of social workers on forensic addiction issues (diagnostics and treatment),
- twinning partners are Stichting De Stem and Molemann Mental Health Suriname.

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Mision

To ensure a comprehensive and realistic forensic care system in our partner countries.

 

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Vision

Collaborate with governmental and nongovernmental justice services on developing their forensic care  and treatment facilities.

 

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strategy

- consultancy

- exchanging knowledge

- initiating forensic projects

 

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goals

- sharing and transferring our forensic knowledge.

- to create and facilitate cooperation among partners around the world.

- to initiate and expand forensic treatment- and rehabilitation projects.

 

 

get in touch

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Forensic Mental Health Organization

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

KvK: 853763963

regular: 0031 – 20 – 4423221

mobile: 0031 – 6 – 25070814

 

 

Daphne Breuker (chairman)

Profession: Forensic psychologist
Expertise: responsible for all forensic reports, diagnostics and treatment.

IMG_0013_2In the past decade I have been working as a forensic reporter on juvenile and adult criminal cases. Since 1999 I have worked as a military psychologist and later as an institutional psychologist in a women and male penitentiary. My main interest lies in forensic diagnostics and consulting. In the field I work with people suffering from different disorders or psychiatric problems. My experience is also drawn from working with people in the multicultural community in the Netherlands. In the field and in daily live I experience the enormous efforts it takes for vulnerable people to thrive in an increasingly complex society. Creating opportunity for this vulnerable group can help to build a better future.

Margot van Berkel (vice – chairman)

Profession: (forensic) psychiatrist
Expertise: writing forensic reports, diagnostics and treatment

IMG_0017_2Working as a psychiatrist for seven years I started gaining mental health care experience at Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), supporting the crisis team. I wrote reports in forensics during that period. In 2011 I decided to explore my dream of working in a developing country. For eight months I contributed by working in Malawi, in the country’s only psychiatric hospital. This has been a very interesting and inspiring experience. In Malawi I contributed by building the base of forensic expertise. I trained and coached local health care psychiatric workers in writing forensic reports and in consulting courts. I also supported initiating contacts between the psychiatric hospital and the prison allowing psychiatric workers to run diagnostics and offer treatments on a regular basis. Back in the Netherlands I started working at the Dutch Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology( NIFP) in Amsterdam. I am responsible for penitentiary psychiatric care and I am consulting the court. In addition I continued to develop my skills as a forensic reporter and I am supervising medical residents on this matter.

Mihaly E.P. Schroth (finance)

Profession: Project Manager Tornado
Expertise: Finance, Rehabilitation, Resocialization & Education

IMG_0012_2Since 2009 working as project manager at Tornado bv; an employment agency that primarily employs dutch citizens with unemployment benefits. With over 35 years of experience, we are able te create innovative employment solutions for public authorities & companies. As a social enterprise we focus on Social return on Investment solutions/ implementation combined with back sourcing.

Tamara Leinwand (secretary)

Profession: Administration
Expertise: secretary

IMG_0004_2Administrative & back-office employer. After studying Child Care, I gained many years of experience in this field, in the Netherlands and abroad (o.a. in The Dutch Antilles). Since 2012 I have been working as a psychologist test assistant,   running IQ tests on detainees.

Within FMHO, I provide administrative and back-office support.