Mental Health and the Justice System in Zimbabwe: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

摘要

The study explored mental health for female patients within the justice system in Zimbabwe. Purposive sampling of ten justice system participants directly involved with mental health services was done. Data were collected using in-depth interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was applied to the study. It enabled the justice system participants to make sense of their experiences in working within mental health services. Findings: Analysis of transcripts revealed two master themes: 1) offending, entry and processing of female psychiatric patients in the justice system. 2)Community aftercare issues and future projections. There is need for unity of function between the justice system, the medical arm and the Special institutions for effective rehabilitation of female forensic psychiatric patients in Zimbabwe.