Commentary on “the new Italian Residential Forensic Psychiatric System (REMS). A one-year population study”

Abstract

Although prediction of risk to others (and management of that risk) may be the sine qua non of forensic psychi atry, a large range of instruments, indicators, and other outcomes are available 13. Domains other than risk will also be important for the service and its patients, such as mental health, quality of life, social function, and psy chosocial adjustment. The Italian REMS, as with MSUs in the UK, seem to have been designed with these latter goals in mind as much as minimizing risk and reducing reoffending. Choosing service eligibility criteria and the right outcome measurements will be key in evaluating whether the Italian REMS succeed in their goals.