[Patients with schizophrenia in forensic-psychiatric hospitals (section 63 German Penal Code) in North Rhine-Westphalia].
The aim of our study was to determine the development of the number of patients with schizophrenia in detention (section 63 German Penal Code) in North Rhine-Westphalia and the characterization of these patients. Patients with schizophrenia are examined, by using a standardized questionnaire answered by the attending psychiatrist or psychologist (n = 531). During the last 12 years the number of patients with schizophrenia in forensic-psychiatric hospitals has increased three times, whereas the number of patients with other diagnoses heightened only twofold. The patients with schizophrenia showed high rates of psychiatric comorbidities (substance disorders 73.9 %, personality disorders 17.2 %), previous inpatient treatments (78.3 % with a mean of 7.5 stays) and previous convictions (63.4 %). Almost half of these convictions (46.6 %) were violent offences (e. g. assault, homicide). Possible explanations for this development are discussed.
Kutscher
S
S
Institut für Forensische Psychiatrie, UniversitätDuisburg-Essen/LVR-Klinikum,Virchowstrasse 174, Essen. sven.kutscher@lvr.de
Schiffer
B
B
Seifert
D
D
D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011330:Prisons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data