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The program is aimed at professionals working in the criminal justice system, including doctors, nurses, social workers, lawyers, police and correctional officers. It has been established in partnership with Justice Health and the University of New South Wales.

“There is no equivalent course at any other university in Australia,” said Scientia Professor Philip Mitchell, head of the School of Psychiatry.

“UNSW has been working closely with Justice Health to enhance education and research in Forensic Mental Health,” he said. “The Masters program is one of the critical components of this relationship.”

The course covers areas such as mental health law, violence, substance abuse and the law, deviant and criminal sexual behaviour, families, children and adolescence forensic psychiatry and research methodologies in forensic psychiatry. One of the core courses, Administration, Institutions & Services provides students with the opportunity to hypothetically design a mental health service.

Program coordinator Dr Elizabeth Kaziro said of the 12 graduates, four are psychiatrists working within Justice Health.

“The group consisted of a good cross section of people working as clinicians, lawyers, and administrators” she said.

Statistics show that people who suffer from mental illness are at a greater risk of falling foul of the law, resulting in an increased need for specialist, highly trained mental health staff within the criminal justice system.

One of the graduates, Dr John Kasinathan, said the program offered a good combination of theory and practice. As a Consultant Psychiatrist with Justice Health, Dr Kasinathan’s responsibilities include assessing and treating adolescents in the criminal justice system. In addition, Dr Kasinathan is Visiting Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist with ACT Mental Health Forensic Services and has a private practice in Macquarie Street.

“It was quite a practical program. It had good theory aspects too, but it was good to be able to apply them through my work.”

Dr Kasinathan said in dealing with his clients it was important to be aware of the range of research and the literature.

“It’s really easy to look at the patient in front of you and forget that they come from high levels of social disadvantage and that there are a lot of factors at play,” he said.

“The course has helped me understand my patients better. It has helped me relate more pro-actively with the important stakeholders involved because it’s not just the doctor and the patient - in forensic psychiatry you’re dealing with several systems.

“One of the nice things about the course is that it is open to people from different disciplines – it’s not just for doctors – it’s open to people from a psychology background, from a nursing background and policing. It’s for everyone.”

Media Contact: Steve Offner | 9385 8107 | | Media & Communications Unit