Music Therapy and Forensic Psychiatry — Choice, Denial and the Law

This paper looks at aspects of work in the forensic psychiatric setting. It is based on music therapy work in a Medium Secure Unit, situated within a general psychiatric hospital. It was felt that there were several important differences in working in this unit of the hospital which often seemed to question the feasability and existence of a music therapy group. This paper concerns itself with these differences. A brief introduction to forensic psychiatry and secure units is given first. This is followed by a short case study of an eight-week music therapy group from which material is used to look at the themes identified. These are summarized into the headings of choice, denial and the law. Their effect on the patients is discussed and the ways in which the music therapy group can address the issues involved are highlighted.