‘Behind This Wall’ – Experiences of Seclusion on Locked Wards for Women

• Main Author: Rebecca Fish
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Stockholm University Press 2018-02-01
• Series: Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
• Subjects: Seclusion, ethnography, women, challenging behaviour, forensic mental health, institutions
• Online Access: https://www.sjdr.se/articles/59
• ISSN: 1501-7419; 1745-3011

Aim: To more fully understand the experiences of seclusion in a learning disability service for women. Background: This paper reports on one of the analytical themes, seclusion, from an ethnographic study exploring the lives of learning disabled women on locked wards. Method: Participant observation was used on three locked wards for women in a learning disability secure (forensic) unit in the United Kingdom. Themes from the analysis of field-notes were used to construct an interview schedule. Sixteen detained women and ten staff participated in interviews. Results: The thematic analysis produced four areas of relevance: the seclusion room environment, reasons for using seclusion, termination of seclusion and alternatives to seclusion. Conclusion: Detained women’s descriptions of seclusion portrayed a bewildering, distressing experience which violated their privacy. Alternative practices such as providing a space for anger and resolve, and time for discussion with staff were identified.