Citation

Watzke S, Ullrich S, Marneros A. Eur. Arch. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2006; 256(7): 414-421.

Affiliation

Halle-Wittenberg Klinik und Poliklinik Fu Psychiatrie, Martin-Luther-Universitat, Julius-Kuhn-Str. 7, 06097, Halle/Saale, Germany, andreas.marneros@medizin.uni-halle.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00406-006-0656-4

PMID

16788769

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the prevalence of mental diseases including personality disorders in a sample of German prisoners regarding delinquency and gender specificity. METHOD: Crime history, present state and lifetime mental disorders, as well as personality disorders, were assessed amongst 415 inmates and compared regarding gender and type of delinquency. RESULTS: Female offenders more often committed homicide while male offenders more frequently committed assault and robbery. Men had a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and dissocial PD while women more often showed depression, anxiety disorders and Borderline PD. Violent offences were related to a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and dissocial PD, as well as higher comorbidities of mental disorders. CONCLUSION: Results emphasize the complexity of the needs and requirements of imprisoned offenders. Our findings reveal an urgent need for psychiatric-psychotherapeutic services to provide suitable care to inmates in order to contribute to a more favorable legal prognosis.

Language: en