Exploring Forensic Environments. How do Environmental Factors Influence Individual Outcomes for Residents and Staff? A Systematic Review.

Background: Increasing attention is focussing on the role of environments in the rehabilitation of offenders, with a range of reported outcomes in the literature. This systematic review aims to explore forensic environments and the outcomes and changes that result, in order to assess the current knowledge in this area and to inform current and future practise. Method: Using a systematic review approach with an extensive literature search and robust application of appraisal methods, nine studies were identified. The studies included one mixed method study (n=1), qualitative methods (n= 4) that utilised Thematic Analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA) and quantitative methods (n = 4) that utilised the responses to psychometric measures including the EssenCES and CIES to assess the quality and outcomes associated with environments in forensic settings. Findings: Three superordinate themes were identified 1) Factors required for successful environments, 2) Factors that influence successful environments and 3) Factors affected by successful environments. Implications for practice: In addition to outcomes, this review found factors required for forensic environments that are consistent with previous literature within the field, and factors that might influence how successful environments can be. Further research would be beneficial around motivation, as it appears to influence the success of environments and be a potential outcome of environments. Further research might usefully explore the ideal time in service, for optimal outcomes in order to advise those currently commissioning services of this nature.