Sentenced to psychotherapy? Report of experiences from the Austrian central treatment institution for incompetent mentally abnormal criminals
Brosch, W.
Psychiatrische Praxis 20(5): 176-180
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0303-4259 PMID: 8248442 Document Number: 412905
A short report is given of the legal principles underlying the treatment of mentally ill offenders in Austria-called the "Massnahmenvollzug". Pro and contra of psychotherapy under a compulsory setting in a specialized prison is discussed. Some concepts of inpatient psychotherapy are described and their realisation in "Justizanstalt Göllersdorf"-an Austrian prison for adult mentally abnormal offenders-is given in development and modifications for all day living. The discussion of theory and casework leads to some conclusions: Psychotherapy under the conditions of "Massnahmenvollzug" seems to be possible if mutually free decision for it can be guaranteed. The therapist must be willing to take care and responsibility not only for the psychotherapeutic process alone but for the structure of prison organisation as well. The institution as a whole should be organized under therapeutic conditions.