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Research ArticleRegular Article

Exploring Secure Recovery Knowledge, Skills, and Education Needs of Forensic Staff

Shaheen A. Darani, Stephanie R. Penney, Genevieve Walker, Courtney Brennan, Remar Mangaoil, Faisal Islam, Treena Wilkie and Alexander I. F. Simpson
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online November 2025, JAAPL.250076-25; DOI: https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.250076-25
Shaheen A. Darani
Dr. Darani is Director of Faculty Development and Mentorship, Dr. Darani, Dr. Penney, and Dr. Wilkie are associate professors of psychiatry, and Dr. Simpson is Chair of Forensic Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Darani is a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Penney is a psychologist, Ms. Walker is a research assistant, Ms. Brennan is an occupational therapist, Dr. Islam is Manager of Education Evaluation and Quality Improvement, and Dr. Wilkie is Chief of Forensic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mangaoil is a professor of nursing, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
MD
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Stephanie R. Penney
Dr. Darani is Director of Faculty Development and Mentorship, Dr. Darani, Dr. Penney, and Dr. Wilkie are associate professors of psychiatry, and Dr. Simpson is Chair of Forensic Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Darani is a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Penney is a psychologist, Ms. Walker is a research assistant, Ms. Brennan is an occupational therapist, Dr. Islam is Manager of Education Evaluation and Quality Improvement, and Dr. Wilkie is Chief of Forensic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mangaoil is a professor of nursing, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
PhD
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Genevieve Walker
Dr. Darani is Director of Faculty Development and Mentorship, Dr. Darani, Dr. Penney, and Dr. Wilkie are associate professors of psychiatry, and Dr. Simpson is Chair of Forensic Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Darani is a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Penney is a psychologist, Ms. Walker is a research assistant, Ms. Brennan is an occupational therapist, Dr. Islam is Manager of Education Evaluation and Quality Improvement, and Dr. Wilkie is Chief of Forensic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mangaoil is a professor of nursing, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
MPH
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Courtney Brennan
Dr. Darani is Director of Faculty Development and Mentorship, Dr. Darani, Dr. Penney, and Dr. Wilkie are associate professors of psychiatry, and Dr. Simpson is Chair of Forensic Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Darani is a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Penney is a psychologist, Ms. Walker is a research assistant, Ms. Brennan is an occupational therapist, Dr. Islam is Manager of Education Evaluation and Quality Improvement, and Dr. Wilkie is Chief of Forensic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mangaoil is a professor of nursing, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
MSc, OT
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Remar Mangaoil
Dr. Darani is Director of Faculty Development and Mentorship, Dr. Darani, Dr. Penney, and Dr. Wilkie are associate professors of psychiatry, and Dr. Simpson is Chair of Forensic Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Darani is a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Penney is a psychologist, Ms. Walker is a research assistant, Ms. Brennan is an occupational therapist, Dr. Islam is Manager of Education Evaluation and Quality Improvement, and Dr. Wilkie is Chief of Forensic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mangaoil is a professor of nursing, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
RN, PhD
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Faisal Islam
Dr. Darani is Director of Faculty Development and Mentorship, Dr. Darani, Dr. Penney, and Dr. Wilkie are associate professors of psychiatry, and Dr. Simpson is Chair of Forensic Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Darani is a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Penney is a psychologist, Ms. Walker is a research assistant, Ms. Brennan is an occupational therapist, Dr. Islam is Manager of Education Evaluation and Quality Improvement, and Dr. Wilkie is Chief of Forensic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mangaoil is a professor of nursing, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
PhD
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Treena Wilkie
Dr. Darani is Director of Faculty Development and Mentorship, Dr. Darani, Dr. Penney, and Dr. Wilkie are associate professors of psychiatry, and Dr. Simpson is Chair of Forensic Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Darani is a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Penney is a psychologist, Ms. Walker is a research assistant, Ms. Brennan is an occupational therapist, Dr. Islam is Manager of Education Evaluation and Quality Improvement, and Dr. Wilkie is Chief of Forensic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mangaoil is a professor of nursing, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
MD
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Alexander I. F. Simpson
Dr. Darani is Director of Faculty Development and Mentorship, Dr. Darani, Dr. Penney, and Dr. Wilkie are associate professors of psychiatry, and Dr. Simpson is Chair of Forensic Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Darani is a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Penney is a psychologist, Ms. Walker is a research assistant, Ms. Brennan is an occupational therapist, Dr. Islam is Manager of Education Evaluation and Quality Improvement, and Dr. Wilkie is Chief of Forensic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mangaoil is a professor of nursing, Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
BMedSci, MBChB
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Article Figures & Data

Tables

    • View popup
    Table 1

    Sample Demographics

    n (%)
    Gender
     Woman (cisgender)70 (64.8)
     Man (cisgender)29 (26.9)
     Prefer not to answer9 (8.3)
    Ethnicity
     White/Caucasian57 (52.8)
     Black11 (10.2)
     Southeast Asian10 (9.3)
     East Asian9 (8.3)
     South Asian6 (5.6)
     Multiracial6 (5.6)
     Middle Eastern2 (1.9)
     West Asian1 (0.9)
     Prefer not to answer6 (5.6)
    Professional Role
     Nurse47 (43.5)
     Unit support/therapist30 (27.8)
     Social worker16 (14.8)
     Psychiatrist8 (7.4)
     Psychologist3 (2.8)
     Clinical extern2 (1.9)
     Professional practice1 (0.9)
     Psychometrist1 (0.9)
    • View popup
    Table 2

    Existing Knowledge and Skills Related to Different Aspects of Recovery-Oriented Care among Forensic Staff

    n (%)
    ExcellentGoodUnsureFairPoor
    Existing knowledge and understanding of:
     Recovery-oriented care27 (25.0)57 (52.8)13 (12.0)11 (10.2)0 (0)
     Recovery-oriented principles19 (17.6)60 (55.6)14 (13.0)13 (12.0)2 (1.9)
     Recovery-oriented assessment tools in forensic care15 (13.9)39 (36.1)12 (11.1)28 (25.9)14 (13.0)
     Strengths-based approach to care41 (38.0)48 (44.4)9 (8.3)7 (6.5)3 (2.8)
     The practices that support recovery21 (19.4)59 (54.6)12 (11.1)13 (12.0)3 (2.8)
     The practices that hinder recovery19 (17.6)56 (51.9)16 (14.8)13 (12.0)4 (3.7)
     The benefits of shared decision-making with patients47 (43.5)49 (45.4)5 (4.6)7 (6.5)0 (0)
    n (%)
    Very ConfidentConfidentModerately ConfidentSomewhat ConfidentNot at All ConfidentNot Applicable
    Ability to:
     Integrate recovery principles into care16 (14.8)49 (45.4)28 (25.9)13 (12.0)2 (1.9)0 (0)
     Identify strengths and protective factors26 (24.1)50 (46.3)23 (21.3)9 (8.3)0 (0)0 (0)
     Engage in shared decision-making25 (23.1)53 (49.1)19 (17.6)10 (9.3)1 (0.9)0 (0)
     Implement a recovery-oriented plan of care17 (15.7)46 (42.6)24 (22.2)16 (14.8)4 (3.7)1 (0.9)
     Integrate recovery-oriented assessment tools in forensic care14 (13.0)33 (30.6)24 (22.2)17 (15.7)19 (17.6)1 (0.9)
    • View popup
    Table 3

    Staff Perspectives on Education Related to Recovery-Oriented Care

    n (%)
    Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree
    Interested in learning more about specific recovery-oriented principles48 (47.1)45 (44.1)8 (7.8)0 (0)1 (1.0)
    Education in recovery-oriented principles will help inform my practice53 (52.0)39 (38.2)9 (8.8)0 (0)1 (1.0)
    Feel confident in supporting forensic patient recovery if receive education in recovery-oriented principles44 (43.1)40 (39.2)18 (17.6)0 (0)0 (0)
    n (%)
    YesNo
    Received adequate education on recovery-oriented principles43 (42.2)59 (57.8)
    Willing to participate in education in recovery-oriented principles98 (96.1)4 (3.9)
    Power dynamics and different social categories affect ability to support the recovery of forensic patients in your clinical practice44 (43.1)58 (56.9)
    • View popup
    Table 4

    Comparison of Existing Knowledge and Skills Related to Different Aspects of Recovery-Oriented Care between Nurses and Other Health Professions

    n (%)
    ExcellentGoodUnsureFairPoor
    Existing knowledge and understanding of:OtherNurseOtherNurseOtherNurseOtherNurseOtherNurse
     Recovery-oriented care16 (26.2)11 (23.4)33 (54.1)24 (51.1)7 (11.5)6 (12.8)5 (8.2)6 (12.8)0 (0)0 (0)
     Recovery-oriented principles12 (19.7)7 (14.9)35 (57.4)25 (53.2)6 (9.8%)8 (17.0)7 (11.5)6 (12.8)1 (1.6)1 (2.1)
     Recovery-oriented assessment tools in forensic care13 (21.3)2 (4.3)24 (39.3)15 (31.9)5 (8.2)7 (14.9)12 (19.7)16 (34.0)7 (11.5)7 (14.9)
     Strengths-based approach to care32 (52.5)9 (19.1)22 (36.1)26 (55.3)2 (3.3)7 (14.9)4 (6.6)3 (6.4)1 (1.6)2 (4.3)
     The practices that support recovery14 (23.0)7 (14.9)34 (55.7)25 (53.2)6 (9.8)6 (12.8)6 (9.8)7 (14.9)1 (1.6)2 (4.3)
     The practices that hinder recovery14 (23.0)5 (10.6)31 (50.8)25 (53.2)9 (14.8)7 (14.9)6 (9.8)7 (14.9)1 (1.6)3 (6.4)
     The benefits of shared decision-making with patients32 (52.5)15 (31.9)25 (41.0)24 (51.1)1 (1.6)4 (8.5)3 (4.9)4 (8.5)0 (0)0 (0)
    n (%)
    Very ConfidentConfidentModerately ConfidentSomewhat ConfidentNot at All Confident
    Ability to:OtherNurseOtherNurseOtherNurseOtherNurseOtherNurse
     Integrate recovery principles into care9 (14.8)7 (14.9)31 (50.8)18 (38.3)15 (24.6)13 (27.7)5 (8.2)8 (17.0)1 (1.6)1 (2.1)
     Identify strengths and protective factors19 (31.1)7 (14.9)27 (44.3)23 (48.9)13 (21.3)10 (21.3)2 (3.3)7 (14.9)0 (0)0 (0)
     Engage in shared decision-making17 (27.9)8 (17.0)29 (47.5)24 (51.1)12 (19.7)7 (14.9)2 (3.3)8 (17.0)1 (1.6)0 (0)
     Implement a recovery-oriented plan of care9 (14.8)8 (17.0)29 (47.5)17 (36.2)11 (18.0)13 (27.7)8 (13.1)8 (17.0)3 (4.9)1 (2.1)
     Integrate recovery-oriented assessment tools in forensic care10 (16.4)4 (8.5)21 (34.4)12 (25.5)14 (23.0)10 (21.3)6 (9.8)11 (23.4)9 (14.8)10 (21.3)
    • View popup
    Table 5

    Themes and Subthemes from Focus Groups and Survey Free-Text Responses

    DomainThemeSubthemeIllustrative Quotes
    KnowledgeKnowledge of recovery-oriented careRecovery-oriented principlesAn approach to care that is person-centered and recognizes the person and history beyond the diagnosis. Involves willingness to work in partnership with individuals to support them in creating a meaningful life and sense of identity, as defined by them. Recovery-oriented care focuses on hope, individual strengths and circumstances, choice, personal responsibility and independence, and social connection. Recognizes the need to advance recovery beyond the biomedical and promotes a holistic approach to support that is trauma aware and culturally competent and recognizes impact of social determinants of health. (Peer Support Worker)
    Knowledge of secure recoveryBalancing recovery and riskThings have to be done a certain way as far as risk and I mean, you know, keeping things moving along to a point but at the same time trying to personalize things as much as you can too. (Allied Health 2)
    Lack of shared understanding of secure recoveryWhat does secure recovery look like for the client, how the team perceives secure recovery, but also at the systems level with leadership - what their goals or deliverables are, in terms of data. So I think how we define secure recovery and what that looks like for each level is important to acknowledge…what that looks like for each person at the micro and macro level are sometimes not so congruent. (Allied Health 5)
    SkillsIntegrating recovery-oriented principles into careDeveloping a therapeutic allianceThe ability to build a therapeutic alliance with a client is so key and for them to actually trust you…where they really have grown to trust whoever their case manager is, or the clinician on the unit, that’s where I’m seeing clients being able to move forward and really be able to, you know, really implement those strategies of secure recovery. (Allied Health 7)
    Collaborative goal settingSo the way I’ve always worked is you’re working within a forensic lens. So to me the disposition is always the go-to. So these are kind of the things that you’re obliged to ensure are in place. So then from there trying to help the person build, you know, recovery goals that are personally meaningful, but in the sense, in a larger socially appropriate way…so it’s kind of tailoring things to the person. (Allied Health 2)
    Promoting empowermentSo in every option when you’re engaging people give some level of autonomy not, you know, like your IM is due today I’m going to come and give it as opposed to like what time would you like your IM today? You know, so to give like choice like even if it isn’t like full choice but to give people a feeling of empowerment in even in small aspects everyday. (Nurse 1)
    Fostering connection, hope, and optimismProgramming generally is so important like having things that bring clients together on a unit, like not just risk – like risk-based programming is so important and we put a lot of effort on that. But there’s also, you know, programs that are designed to create community with clients so they can support one another, programs to support relationship building and trust with staff, and just opportunities to build within themselves as well. (Allied Health 3)
    Acknowledging power imbalancesI just treat people like they’re people and not like a patient, you know, I’m gonna talk to you like you’re an adult because you’re an adult. I don’t care that you’re in this hospital, and like, I’m not gonna talk down to you, you know, and I think that I find that patients appreciate that…They’re not treating me like someone who has power. (Allied Health 8)
    Integrating recovery-oriented assessment toolsInconsistent integration of recovery-oriented assessment toolsAre we really using it (the DUNDRUM) as a shared goal setting tool, as a shared understanding of what’s important in treatment and showing how that translates into your treatment plan and the goals that we’re working on right now? I think there’s some gaps there where it’s like, “the client did the DUNDRUM, there’s their numbers.” It’s like, what do those numbers mean? (Allied Health 3)
    Education NeedsTraining and developmentComprehensive orientation to secure recovery and trainingYeah, as someone who did the incoming training for the last few months, we did not have any training on secure recovery or how to implement it in the forensic setting. The only real forensic training was morning long, here’s what the forensic system is. But not how to work with people in it, what’s really expected from your specific role? It’s very much, as has been said, on the job learning. (Allied Health 6)
    Training in methods and competencies that will improve the delivery of secure recoveryAddictions training across the board would be helpful. I mean, yeah, because we’re all just grasping at straws half the time. I feel like, especially with these guys who have been here for fifteen plus years and the substance use…that’s literally what’s keeping them here. (Allied Health 8)
    Opportunities for ongoing skill developmentHaving a group that we meet and having time during work hours to actually do it, like, but where we can get together and discuss difficult cases. So you don’t feel like you’re on your own or even where you can get resources or different things to help, you know, help within the work. (Allied Health 2)
    Policies and proceduresStandardized policies and proceduresSay we had like a booklet or like case studies of like, okay, like there’s a specific client, this is like…they got an absolute discharge at assessment. This is what each discipline has done to support secure recovery, like what techniques, what strategies…a timeline because it’s, it’s different for each one. So like, to have like a guide of what that may look like, what’s been done, but we’re kind of just all figuring it out as we go. (Allied Health 5)
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Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online: 53 (4)
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
Vol. 53, Issue 4
1 Dec 2025
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Exploring Secure Recovery Knowledge, Skills, and Education Needs of Forensic Staff
Shaheen A. Darani, Stephanie R. Penney, Genevieve Walker, Courtney Brennan, Remar Mangaoil, Faisal Islam, Treena Wilkie, Alexander I. F. Simpson
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Nov 2025, JAAPL.250076-25; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.250076-25

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Exploring Secure Recovery Knowledge, Skills, and Education Needs of Forensic Staff
Shaheen A. Darani, Stephanie R. Penney, Genevieve Walker, Courtney Brennan, Remar Mangaoil, Faisal Islam, Treena Wilkie, Alexander I. F. Simpson
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Nov 2025, JAAPL.250076-25; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.250076-25
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