Samenvatting

A forensic patient develops a relationship with his therapist, which allows him to escape from the clinic and reoffend, after which he will once again be detained in the clinic. This is a common plot in Dutch fictional films and series depicting forensic care, while in reality such stories are highly exceptional. Therefore the image of forensic care becomes one-sided, negative and sensationalist, which is of importance as American research shows that the impact of drama on public opinion may be higher than that of news media. The portrayal of patients, professionals and the system of forensic care as a whole in fictional films and series can be classified in frames, which are known from research on (social) media or research on fiction abroad. This exploratory study aims to answer the question what frames are used for forensic care in Dutch fictional films and series. Sixteen productions from the last twenty years have been found and analyzed on the basis of general characteristics, including the plot, as well as the frames used to portray forensic care. Most of the frames used are negative and based on exceptional cases. Patients are portrayed as a ‘wild beast’ or ‘master manipulator’ who have committed capital crimes and/or serious sexual offenses. Most professionals are portrayed as naive, incompetent ‘cuddlers’ and ‘seducible’. Because of this combination the system is portrayed as having ‘more holes than a Swiss cheese’ with a lack of attention for victims. Influencing this image is more important than ever for creating societal support. The escaped forensic patient should make room for the patient who will no longer severely reoffend, which fortunately is a much more frequent character in reality.