III Forensic Psychiatry International Summer School.

The third edition of the Forensic Psychiatry International Summer School, held from 17 to 20 September 2024 at the Ionian Department of the Faculty of Law of Taranto, has confirmed itself as a point of reference for professionals in the sector. Organized by Italiana Congressi e Formazione, in collaboration with prestigious institutions such as MAUL (Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology Association), SIPRiFo (Italian Society of Forensic Psychotherapy and Rehabilitation), Dundrum Centre for Forensic Excellence and others, the summer school offered a high-level scientific program, focused on the most recent developments in forensic psychiatry.

Central themes and innovations
The work focused on highly topical issues, such as:
• The care model for all mental health services: Objectives, pathways, treatments and assessment.
• The standard model for forensic mental health services: Stratified therapeutic security.
• Restrictive practices in general and forensic psychiatry: Isolation and restraint. Particularly appreciated were the sessions dedicated to the new frontiers of research, with a focus on the developments of pharmacological and psychological therapies for mental disorders related to crime. Furthermore, ample space was dedicated to the ethical and legal implications of forensic psychiatric evaluations, with particular attention to the capacity to understand and to want.

An international comparison
The participation of experts from different European countries enriched the discussions and fostered the exchange of experiences. The presence of representatives from MAUL and SIPRiFo underlined the importance of collaboration between professional associations in promoting research and training in the field of forensic psychiatry.

Results
The summer school achieved its objectives, offering participants a unique opportunity to:
• Update their knowledge on the latest scientific evidence.
• Exchange ideas with internationally renowned experts.
• Expand their network of professional contacts. The feedback collected highlighted the great satisfaction of the participants, who appreciated the quality of the scientific content, the organization of the event and the opportunity to interact with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds.