Background: Staff working in a forensic psychiatric unit have to make sure to keep the unit safe, and at the same time care for the patients. Caring for convicted patients can therefore be described as a complex process, which can affect the staff's daily work and be related to their mental health.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that has impact on the mental health of staff working on forensic psychiatric units.

Method: A literature review was used as a method in which both qualitative and quantitative studies were used to collect data.

Results: The results were analyzed and complied into three themes; Feeling of inadequacy, The caring relationship and To be supported. Each theme consists of two to four subthemes which describe different factors that influenced the staff.

Conclusions: It shows that the factors affecting the staff can be positive or negative. Several factors can be linked to the complex group of patients being cared for. Resources and whether the need of support were met by the organization also have an impact on how the staff is experiencing their work situation.