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Topping-out ceremony in Eberswalde: 20 new places for forensic psychiatry!
Health State Secretary Patrick Wahl announced a construction project to create 20 new therapy places at the Eberswalde topping-out ceremony.
Topping-out ceremony in Eberswalde: 20 new places for forensic psychiatry!
Something is happening in the area of enforcement in Brandenburg. At a topping-out ceremony in Eberswalde, Health State Secretary Patrick Wahl spoke about the construction of a new open ward, which will in future offer around 20 additional places for mentally ill offenders. This construction project, which is funded by the state of Brandenburg with around 10.2 million euros, is intended to significantly increase the capacity in the clinic for forensic psychiatry and create new therapy options. Cityreport reports that the completion of the open ward, which will be housed in the renovated house 29 of the GLG Martin Gropius Hospital, is planned for spring 2026.
The open ward introduces an innovative type of care, as patients live there in single rooms and have more freedom under controlled conditions. The aim is to better prepare them for life after release and to promote their integration into society. However, it currently appears that the correctional clinics in Brandenburg are severely overcrowded. There are currently 269 regular places, but 310 people are already accommodated, which means an overcrowding of around 14 percent. RBB24 adds that the clinic in Eberswalde is overcrowded at 19.6 percent and the clinic in Brandenburg/Havel at 14 percent.
Shortage in psychiatric care
The structural measures are urgently needed because the number of mentally ill people who have committed criminal offenses has increased in recent years. According to current information, there were 68 new admissions and 66 discharges in correctional facilities last year. It is an issue that is relevant not only locally, but also nationwide: psychiatric hospitals in Germany are struggling with overcrowding, a lack of staff and financial bottlenecks. [Ärzteblatt]. also endangers the safety of everyone involved.
The state of Brandenburg is not only planning to expand the existing facilities in Eberswalde, but a new building with 40 places for around 19 million euros is also being built in Brandenburg an der Havel. These measures are part of a comprehensive plan to adapt the capacity in the penal system to the places actually needed. The discussion about improving the framework conditions has been going on for a long time, because the need to increase spatial and human resources is becoming increasingly urgent.
A look into the future
Given the critical situation, it is essential that measures to improve the situation are implemented as quickly as possible. The transformation of the clinics and their infrastructure could not only cover the need for care, but also significantly increase the quality of life of patients. Some of the existing problems result from a staff shortage that is noticeable nationwide. According to the DGPPN, which has dealt with the situation in the penal system, many therapies are not offered due to staff shortages. This often leads to longer stays for patients in the facilities and an increase in attacks in the clinics.
The coming years will be crucial not only to increase the number of treatment places, but also to guarantee high-quality care for mentally ill offenders. Brandenburg is setting a good example, but it remains to be hoped that other federal states will also follow this path of improvement.