Structural Features and Use of Coercive Measures in Forensic Psychiatry Throughout Germany

OBJECTIVE Nationwide assessment of structural data and the frequency of use of coercive measures in forensic psychiatric hospitals in Germany. METHODS Quantitative survey using a postal questionnaire on structural data and on the use of coercive measures in forensic psychiatric hospitals as part of the "ZIPHER" study. RESULTS About one fourth of all forensic patients are affected by coercive measures, with seclusion (21.2 %) being way more often than mechanical restraint (3.2 %). This ratio contrasts with general psychiatric hospitals, where restraints are more common than seclusions. CONCLUSION The results of the study reveal nationwide peculiarities in the use of coercive measures in forensic psychiatric hospitals. At the same time, it demonstrated the lack of general structural and process data of forensic hospitals in Germany.