NCJ Number
44464
Journal
Monatsschrift fuer Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Dated: (JUNE 1977) Pages: 159-177
Date Published
1977
Length
19 pages
Annotation
A STUDY OF PSYCHIATRIC REFORMS AND INNOVATIONS CONSIDERS THEIR RELEVANCE FOR CORRECTIONAL REFORM IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY IS PRACTICAL RATHER THAN THEORETICAL. IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW GERMAN CORRECTIONS LAW, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORRECTIONS, SOCIAL THERAPY, AND SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY IS ANALYZED. CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS OFTEN COMPLICATE SOCIAL REINTEGRATION BY STIGMATIZING PEOPLE; THEY ALSO DEPRIVE THEM OF FAMILY CONTACTS, SEX, PERSONAL APPRECIATION AND PROPERTY, AND REDUCE THEIR SCOPE FOR INDIVIDUALITY. INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THERAPEUTIC CONCEPTS IN SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR PROBLEMS OF DELINQUENCY. SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY SHOULD HELP MAINTAIN THE INMATE'S CONTACT WITH HIS SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT TO FACILITATE LATER REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY. THE QUESTION IS RAISED WHETHER A PERSON WHO HAS VIOLATED A 'NORM' SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A 'SICK CRIMINAL' NEEDING PSYCHIATRIC HELP. THE GOAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY SHOULD BE TO CHANGE CONDITIONS IN AN INSTITUTION AND CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT DOES NOT CAUSE PSYCHOSOCIAL DISORDERS, IMPROVES EXISTING OR BEGINNING DISORDERS, AND PREVENTS THE WORSENING OF EXISTING DISORDERS. PROPOSALS ARE MADE FOR IMPROVED INTERCHANGE BETWEEN CORRECTIONS, PENAL LAW, AND SOCIAL THERAPY. CHANGES IN CORRECTIONS THROUGH PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF PSYCHIATRY WOULD INCLUDE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IDEA OF EXPIATION AND IMPLIED FUNCTION OF PUNISHMENT BY MORE REALISTIC GOALS OF CHANGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR; A STAGGERED SYSTEM OF INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS HALFWAY HOUSES, WORK SHOPS AND DAY CENTERS TO HELP THE DELINQUENT DEVELOP HIS IDENTITY RATHER THAN DESTROYING IT BY PUNISHMENT; A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH INTEGRATING THE VARIOUS THERAPEUTIC METHODS AND MAKING GUARDS AND THERAPIST MEMBERS OF ONE PROBLEM SOLVING GROUP; AND REGARDING DELINQUENCY AS AN ACCIDENTAL RATHER THAN EXCLUSIVE CHARACTERISTIC OF AN INDIVIDUAL. REFORM OF MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY CAN ONLY PROFIT FROM THE INSIGHTS GAINED THROUGH REFORMS IN PSYCHIATRY, THERAPEUTIC MODELS, AND CORRECTIONS IF A CRITICAL ATTITUDE IS MAINTAINED. REFERENCES ARE CITED. -- IN GERMAN. (ING)