Ward climate is associated with patient satisfaction and, potentially, with improved outcomes but increased understanding of its relationship with individual patient characteristics is required. We investigated relationships between patient (N=63) gender, perceived risk, risk behaviour, therapeutic engagement (session attendance), psychopathology and ward climate in a forensic psychiatric hospital. Lower security levels were significantly associated with better patient cohesion, experienced safety and therapeutic hold. Female gender predicted patient cohesion and experienced safety. Higher perceived risk was associated with lower patient cohesion after controlling for security level and gender. Diagnosis of personality disorder or psychosis with was associated with higher experienced safety. Lower levels of engagement predicted greater therapeutic hold. The relationship between patient characteristics and ward climate in forensic settings is complex. Prospective studies are needed to further establish determinants of ward climate, particularly those aspects of patient risk that are associated with poorer patient cohesion.