offenders with mental disorders in psychiatric institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia was not yet satisfactory. The shortfall of therapeutic experts leads to The Land Government had observed that a frequency of therapy which is much too the funding institution was unable to provide low. information on therapy sessions in response to a specific enquiry. It considered this also not to be satisfactory in the clinic’s own interest and in that of the institution, and would discuss possible counter measures with the institution. An evaluation of the therapeutic events without a reliable database certainly did not appear to be justifiable. The Land Government is said to have begun to increase the daily rates as permitted by the budget. This would also be continued in 2012. The staffing budget of the individual clinics was however said to be as a matter of principle within the responsibility of the institutions. The Land Government would supervise this in the context of its specialist supervision. Members of the Patients’ Council stated that The view of the Commission that changes of they are subject to very frequent changes of therapist should constitute the exception was therapist. Some patients were assigned to shared as a matter of principle. The funding six different therapists within two years. institution had however plausibly proven that Changes of therapist can only be justified in the reports quoted of six different therapists exceptional cases, and certainly not for or- being assigned within two years were an ganisational reasons, since they can endan- exception. Given the considerable restructurger the success of the therapy and cost time. ing resulting from the placing into operation of six new clinics with a total of 510 places, these were not simply “organisational” measures. It is recommended to increase the inade- The shortage of therapy rooms was said to quate provision of therapy and discussion primarily concern the rooms allocated to the rooms and to also equip the rooms with the individual wings. As a matter of principle, necessary technical devices (e.g. video similar spatial restrictions were said to apply camera). One large, properly-equipped ther- to many older clinics. The spatial situation in the clinic would considerably improve as a apy room is needed for roughly 15 patients. result of a planned new building with a total of 69 single rooms. Corresponding funding was said to be available; implementation had been delayed for some time because of monument conservation objections. The Land was furthermore said to be preparing to establish an additional total of 650 new places all over the Land. 55