National Preventive Mechanism
do function in a supervisory capacity in the narrower sense. Therefore, they
could not respond to the specific questions raised.
The NPM does not accept this view. Under the Penitentiary System Act,
mentally ill offenders must be housed in institutions or field offices specifically
intended for this purpose. Alternatively, they can be assigned to a public
psychiatric facility.
Assignment does not
change attribution
Under Section 158 of the Penitentiary System Act, this must be a suitable
facility. In this case, it is not merely a matter of correcting a dangerous
situation discovered by the commission. Rather, whether the facility is (still)
generally suitable and the contract with the prison system can be fulfilled
has been called into question.
In the matter at hand, agreement was reached in the course of a contact
meeting with the Federal Ministry of Justice that infrastructure-related
matters at public psychiatric facilities are the responsibility of the Federal
Ministry of Justice.
Responsibility finally
accepted
¾¾ If the Federal Ministry of Justice assigns a person in detention to a public
psychiatric facility, the deficits in said infrastructure are attributable to
the Ministry.
¾¾ If the Federal Ministry of Justice cannot ensure that these deficits are
remedied, the inmate must be housed in a facility run by the Federal
Ministry of Justice itself.
2.5.5 Fixtures and fittings in the patients’ rooms – forensic psychiatry
station of the Sigmund Freud Regional Neurological and Psychiatric
Hospital
In late autumn 2013, the commission visited the forensic psychiatry station
of the Sigmund Freud Regional Neurological and Psychiatric Hospital. The
commission’s final human rights assessment contains very encouraging
remarks:
The therapeutic work and care were regarded as “highly professional”.
There has been no violence in recent years. As far as the commission could
ascertain, the experienced interdisciplinary team performs “outstanding
work”. The employees treat each other well and with respect and are friendly
with the patients. There is a relaxed atmosphere. The medical documentation
and the maintenance of the documentation are described as “exemplary”.
Release management is rated “very good and comprehensive”.
Treatment and care
exemplary
157
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