Experience of prison psychiatry: A gap in psychiatrists' basic professional training

Abstract

Aims and method: To survey the forensic psychiatry training and experience received by a sample of successful MRCPsych candidates. A questionnaire was sent to all 208 candidates who passed the Spring 2001 MRCPsych Part II examination. Results: A total of 99 candidates replied. Of the 42 who had not trained in forensic psychiatry posts, two-thirds had never visited a prison. Clinical implications: More supervised visits to prisons should be provided for basic specialist trainees.