The Devil you Know: Encounters in Forensic Psychiatry - Adshead, Gwen ; Horne, Eileen

Dr Adshead has many years experience of working as a forensic psychiatrist and therapist with people in prison for acts of serious violence who also have some kind of emotional/mental disturbance. She writes with great compassion and empathy for the individuals while never losing sight of the seriousness of the crime or the effect this has on others. As I read some of the background and life experiences of her patients, I could understand how they came to be where they were and to have done what they did. She skilfully separates the behaviour from the person. The former is a criminal act. The person is a suffering individual who committed a terrible crime. There is a difference. It's a moving, at times disturbing, read but one which is well worth engaging in. I strongly recommend this to anyone who has an interest in how and why people become involved in crime and in how society deals with those people.