SPE is tainted and so we should be very careful when drawing conclusions from it. This is true even if, although tainted, its conclusions are correct.
Things like Abu Ghraib are really severe. They don't just apply to "terrorists"[1] in military detention. See 'WinterBourne View'. This was a hospital[3] for long term care for people with learning disability. Residents were the victims of horrible treatment from people who were supposed to care for them. See also the poor care provided by some staff at West Staffs hospital.
Since our aim is to stop and reduce incidents of abuse we need good quality research to make sure that we're not making things worse.
[3] Cultural note: It was a private hospital, but most of the people there would have had their care paid for by the state. This happens quite a lot in mental health treatment - most eating disorder in-patient beds will be private; most medium and high secure "forensic" beds will be private.
Things like Abu Ghraib are really severe. They don't just apply to "terrorists"[1] in military detention. See 'WinterBourne View'. This was a hospital[3] for long term care for people with learning disability. Residents were the victims of horrible treatment from people who were supposed to care for them. See also the poor care provided by some staff at West Staffs hospital.
Since our aim is to stop and reduce incidents of abuse we need good quality research to make sure that we're not making things worse.
[1] Using troubling but easy shorthand. Sorry.
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winterbourne_View_hospital_abu...
[3] Cultural note: It was a private hospital, but most of the people there would have had their care paid for by the state. This happens quite a lot in mental health treatment - most eating disorder in-patient beds will be private; most medium and high secure "forensic" beds will be private.