ABSTRACT
Introduction: Service providers' perspectives on female forensic mental health services have not been explored in Zimbabwe. This study examined how health service providers in forensic mental health in Zimbabwe understand and interpret rehabilitation of female forensic psychiatric patients.
Methods: An interpretive phenomenological study was completed. Service provider participants were selected via purposive sampling from two main Special Institutions. Data were collected using audio-recorded semistructured interviews and subjected to interpretive phenomenological analysis.
Findings: Two master themes evolved from interview data: (a) conflicting legal documents of care and management of female forensic psychiatric patients; and (b) the forensic mental health system's processes, procedures, and resources impacting female forensic psychiatric rehabilitation.
Discussion: Findings of the study call for the need to balance between public safety interests and fulfilling clinical rehabilitation objectives.