"It’s about a restricted living environment" : experiences in supported housing of people who use forensic mental health services

Abstract

The forensic mental health population is made up of individuals who are living with mental illness and encounter the criminal justice system. Supported housing—which combines housing and mental health support and services—as part of the larger forensic system must manage individuals’ risk to ensure public safety, and attend to the rehabilitative needs of forensic mental health populations. Drawing on ‘therapeutic surveillance’, my study explored experiences in supported housing of people found Not Criminally Responsible on account of Mental Disorder. Photovoice and in-depth interviews were conducted with three individuals living in supported housing. Data were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis and produced three overarching themes, including ‘It feels like a normal house’, ‘Being responsible, being able to live independently’, and ‘Parts of it are a very restricted living environment’. The results point to the ways in which supported housing was experienced as empowering, and, at times, restrictive and controlling.