This approach contrasts with traditional forensic psychiatry, in which programs have been located in the antitherapeutic environments of jails or have remained inaccessible in large, distant psychiatric hospitals. Such programs have been criticized for losing pace with more general psychiatric trends toward community mental health. The Calgary General Forensic Unit, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, illustrates the contrasting approach, which is based in the community mental health philosophy. The forensic unit is a 20-bed, locked security facility that receives pretrial, presentence, treatment, and parole cases. Most admissions are for pretrial assessments. The unit preserves patients' constitutional rights. It uses a preventive approach to security and thus a passive rather than an active security system. The unit represents a viable alternative to traditional forensic psychiatric delivery systems. 4 data tables and 12 references. (Author abstract modified)