A Comprehensive Framework to Advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in a Forensic Service

Minority and Indigenous populations have disproportionate representation within forensic mental health services. Social determinants of health and systemic discrimination have contributed to the difficulties these populations have in accessing care, as well as significant differences in care trajectories. In addition, staffing and structural equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) challenges permeate forensic systems as in other health care settings. There is little literature to guide forensic mental health services in how best to provide equitable, diverse, and inclusive practices for patients, families, and staff. The forensic service at a major urban center in the Canadian province of Ontario has adapted an EDI framework to describe the processes employed to organize and integrate EDI principles and initiatives within a culture of learning and continuous improvement. This Forensic EDI Framework is composed of six domains: Organizational Commitment, Staff/Workforce Competencies, Service Access and Delivery, Promoting Responsiveness, Community Outreach, and Data Collection. Initiatives within each of these domains form the foundation of a sustainable platform for forensic service EDI practices that will promote lasting change.