Women Staff Members and Ward Atmospheres in a Forensic Hospital

The results of the efforts to employ more women staff on secure wards in a forensic hospital are reported. These efforts were directed at creating equal employment opportunities as well as enhancing the resocialization of patients through more positive ward atmospheres. Ten ward atmosphere qualities identified by Moos were used as measures. The study concentrated on ratings of patients from two wards which had higher and lower concentrations of women staff. Patients in the ward having more women staff members rated their ward significantly higher on several relationship and systems maintenance dimensions but lower on the amount of aggression permitted.