Rodge for 24-year-olds after fire in Coswig asylum accommodation!

Rodge for 24-year-olds after fire in Coswig asylum accommodation!

In a pioneering decision by the Dessau-Roßlau Regional Court, a 24-year-old man from Somalia was acquitted of the accusation of attempted murder. This reports Welt . The acquittal was followed by a forensic-psychiatric report, which found the accused's incapacity to blame due to a dependency on alcohol and cannabinoids. This assessment was central to the court, which also ordered the man's accommodation in a withdrawal institution.

The incident that led to the court ruling occurred in November last year when the accused set a foam mattress on his accommodation on the third floor. Fortunately, 15 residents and an employee of the guard service were brought to safety in good time, the latter suffering from slight flue gas poisoning. The property damage that has been estimated to date is around 20,000 euros.

mental illnesses and crimes

This decision raises both legal and social issues, especially with regard to mental illnesses at perpetrators. It is a widespread assumption that people with mental illnesses are fundamentally more dangerous. But according to dgppn they are not more generally dangerous than mentally healthy people. With certain diagnoses, especially in connection with drug abuse, aggressive behavior can occur. The court and forensic psychiatry have a particularly important role in these contexts.

experts also warn of a misunderstanding of the circumstances that lead to such crimes. Often the legal consequences such as accommodation in a special facility are difficult to understand for the public. The DGPPN emphasizes that the number of people with mental illnesses in the correctional facilities is high. Estimates assume that up to 88 % of the occupants suffer from mental disorders.

growing need for treatment

The increase in accommodation in forensic clinics is an alarming development. In Bavaria, for example, the number of cases from 2015 to 2023 rose by a fifth. Over 28 % of the inmates have no German passport, which further fueled the discussion about migration and mental health. Experts see the increased number of refugees as the main cause of the trend. Reports show that a good 30 % of the incoming refugees suffer from mental illnesses, often without the necessary care.

necessary are more comprehensive prevention and therapy offers in order to meet the increased need. So far, the lack of therapy places has been a major problem, and not only foreign refugees often have to wait a long time for treatment. This could lead to the long term that both local and refugee people do not receive the support they urgently need.

Overall, both the process in Coswig and the accompanying discussions illustrate that the topics of mental health and case law are closely interwoven and that a balanced solution requires. Citizens and politicians alike are required to become active here and to find solutions that meet both the needs of those affected and the social security concerns.