[In Process Citation]

Abstract

Empirical studies showed that alcohol and drug addicted delinquents are problematic patients whose treatment is under strain due to difficulties resulting from hospitalisation by court. In the course of treatment it turned out that there is usually a high rate of relapses to addictive drugs and alcohol as well as break-outs. Between 11 and 47% of the patients have to be returned to the penal system. This study investigates which patient groups can very probably be treated successfully and which patient groups have to be classified as risk groups. An analysis of files of 103 concluded treatments at a psychiatric centre in South Germany, ZfP Weinsberg (Massregelvollzug according to section 64 German Penal Code), showed that the factors low age at the time of hospitalisation, lacking education and vocational qualification, drug addiction, early first-time sentencing, and a broken home in the family of origin are accompanied by unsuccessful treatment attempts. A cluster analysis on the basis of these factors identified several patient groups: a completely successful group (delinquents with several previous convictions and a high tendency to offences), a very probable unsuccessful group (delinquents with several previous convictions and a high tendency to offences), and a poorly predictable group (young patients with an early onset of delinquency). The results suggest to thoroughly consider the "prospect of successful treatment" according to section 64 German Penal Code regarding identified risk groups when deciding on hospitalisation by court. Considering the profile of unsuccessful patients, it is advisable to supplement a therapy programme focussing on the treatment of drug addiction with elements that focus on delinquency.