Increasing numbers: more and more criminals in prison!

Increasing numbers: more and more criminals in prison!

The situation in the prison system is causing increasing concern. A current survey by the White Ring shows that the number of criminals housed in psychiatric facilities and rehabilitation centers has increased noticeably. In recent years, occupancy has increased significantly in many federal states. Rhineland-Palatinate recorded an increase in the number of people accommodated from 604 in 2015 to 715 in 2024, while Hesse grew from 681 to 950 patients. There is also a worrying trend in North Rhine-Westphalia: Here the number of people accommodated has risen from 2,930 to 3,323. In Berlin the number of those affected rose from 801 to 848.

Psychiatric experts warn that the majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent, which dgppn.de underlines. Forensic psychiatrist Henning Saß also emphasizes that certain illnesses, such as schizophrenic psychoses and antisocial personality disorders, can increase the risk of violence. However, these psychological problems are just one of many risk factors, which also include drug abuse, alcohol, gender and social conditions.

Challenges in the penal system

The results of the White Ring survey also show that prevention and good psychiatric care are the key to reducing violence. “Treatment instead of punishment” is the motto, but the reality is different. In particular, due to a lack of spatial and personnel resources, overcrowding and difficult treatment conditions occur in many clinics. [dgppn.de]. As a result, a third of clinics report increasing physical attacks by patients.

The most common crimes in the penal system include bodily harm, property crimes, sexual offenses and homicide. On average, patients spend around 6 years in these facilities in Hesse and over 10 years in Schleswig-Holstein. At the same time, there are also repeated relapses among released sex offenders, which further fuels the discussion about the penal system.

Pandemic and crises as influencing factors

Criminologist Britta Bannenberg emphasizes that an increase in very rare and serious crimes has been observed in recent years. Reasons for this could include the corona pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the associated immigration. Another worrying fact is that warning signs of potential crimes often go unnoticed for a long time. Thoughts and preparations could take years without those around you noticing.

There is therefore a clear need for action. Experts like Prof. Dr. Jürgen Müller is calling for a reform of the penal system and better financing as well as nationwide data collection in order to improve the conditions in the penal system and ensure that both patients and society are protected in the best possible way.

In this context, an improvement in psychiatric care in prisons is urgently called for. It is estimated that up to 88% of inmates there suffer from mental illness. These abuses are no longer acceptable and it is time for legislative action to analyze and improve the situation. This is a challenge that must be faced in the interests of everyone involved.