FAQ

The Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel is a university hospital affiliated with the Université de Montréal offering super-specialized services in forensic psychiatry. The Institut’s mission is divided into four pillars, each centring around the well-being of patients and personnel, as well as their safety and that of the general public, all with a constant focus on diligence and improving the quality of services and resources.

The Institut also offers an expert service to help determine fitness to appear in court, criminal responsibility, or any other question deemed pertinent by the courts, as the case may be.

We also provide university-level education in forensic psychiatry as well as a key research centre for mental illness.

No. The Institut is a secure psychiatric hospital. The building was designed to enable patients to be treated in an environment that’s appropriate for their condition, without weapons or bars. Specially trained personnel ensure the safety of patients and their loved ones.

Mental illness can be treated, but not cured. In general, the main goal of psychiatric hospitals is to diminish the symptoms of illness so that hospitalized individuals can safely return to their regular lives.

Patients hospitalized at the Institut have access to a wide range of services:

Personalized services for the development of the individual

• Many activities are offered through the arts centre, physical activity centre (gym and pool), educational centre (education through to high school diploma), and socio-professional activities centre (book and bike repair, horticulture workshop, etc.).

Pastoral service

• The onsite chaplain provides a pastoral presence, as well as administers sacraments (Christian) and offers individual and group accompaniment to all religious backgrounds.

Yes. The Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel operates its own research centre. Researchers work mainly in four key areas:

• Developing evaluation instruments and methodologies for studying mental disorders and violent behaviour.

Mental disorders and violent behaviour: associated clinical, psychosocial, and environmental factors.

Evaluation of needs, services, and interventions in the field of mental disorders and violent behaviour.

Neurochemical, neurological, neuropsychological, and psychological aspects associated with violent behaviour (in development).

The Institut offers employment in a variety of areas:

• Clinical: nurses, specialized educators
• Administrative: medical secretaries, unit clerks
• Paratechnical: plumbers, carpenters, pharmacy technicians, electricians
• Security: response officers, guards
• Auxiliary services: laundry, cafeteria, food assistants, housekeeping

The Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel maintains a list of candidates. You can also apply for a posted position.

You can do an internship as part of your education in any of the following:

Psychiatry residency

Clerkship in medicine

Criminology

Psychology

Pharmacy

Psycho-education and specialized education

Nursing sciences

Technical nursing care

Food service activities

Professionals in the healthcare and justice networks can also request a personalized internship, which will broaden your knowledge in your specific area of interest: forensic psychiatry/psychiatric expertise, dangerousness evaluation and management, evaluation and treatment of sexual delinquency.

See our internship section for more information.