ABSTRACT
In recent years, there has been a marked increase of persons of ethnic minority groups in both the German criminal justice system and forensic psychiatric treatment. Moreover, the odds of receiving a forensic treatment order differ significantly between different ethnic minority groups. In this chapter, we present research on epidemiological trends in the forensic psychiatric treatment of individuals with a migration or ethnic minority history in the German Federal State of Baden-Württemberg. We report on critical results from our own and other relevant studies and examine possible explanations, i.e., the relationships between migration, ethnic minority status, and mental health risk factors including schizophrenia and violence. Finally, recommendations on prevention and aftercare for ethnic minority individuals are given.
