[Forensic Addiction Treatment in Germany: an Evaluation of its Effects on Criminal Recidivism and a Response to Critical Comments].

Unlabelled: In Germany, offenders with addiction problems may be sentenced to treatment in forensic psychiatric hospitals. A considerable share of patients, in some hospitals more than 40 percent, is returned to prison. The paper presents findings of a long-term evaluation study.

Psychometric Properties of the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES) in a Sample of General Psychiatric Wards.

Objective: The questionnaire EssenCES (Essen Climate Evaluation Schema) is a widely used instrument to assess social climate in forensic psychiatric and correctional institutions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the EssenCES in a general psychiatric setting, where it had not previously been evaluated.

Design: 648 staff members and 551 patients from 47 general psychiatric wards across 16 hospitals in Germany completed the EssenCES.

[Interrelations of Objective Conditions on Psychiatric Wards and Ward Climate Characteristics].

Objective: Investigate inter-relations of objective conditions and a ward's social climate.

Method: Staff and patients on 104 wards filled in the short Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES). Assessments were related to setting variables (like open vs.

Lost in translation? Psychometric properties and construct validity of the English Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES) social climate questionnaire.

The social climate of correctional (forensic) settings is likely to have a significant impact on the outcome of treatment and the overall functioning of these units. The Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES) provides an objective way of measuring social climate that overcomes the content, length, and psychometric limitations of other measures. But the English translation of the EssenCES has yet to be sufficiently validated for use in forensic settings in the United Kingdom.