Sysiefus

The SysIEfUS project (acronym for Systemische und strukturelle Integrations- und Entlasshemmnisse nach forensisch-psychiatrischen Unterbringungen gemäß Strafgesetzbuch [Systemic and structural barriers to integration and discharge following forensic psychiatric placements in accordance with the Criminal Code]) is a 3-year-research project conducted by the Rhineland Regional Council (Landschaftsverband Rheinland, LVR) Institute for Research and Education, Section Healthcare Research in Forensic Psychiatry, between 2024 and 2027. Its main aim is to identify and analyse systemic and structural factors that hinder the discharge of patients treated in forensic psychiatric hospitals under § 63 Strafgesetzbuch (StGB; German Criminal Code). Although these patients may be clinically stable and eligible for discharge, they often remain hospitalized due to external barriers such as a lack of suitable housing, insufficient outpatient psychiatric care, limited vocational opportunities, or reluctance of aftercare institutions to accept forensic patients. Using a mixed-methods design, the project combines quantitative surveys of clinical staff with qualitative interviews involving patients and representatives of aftercare services. By examining perspectives across different levels of the care system, SysIEfUS seeks to generate evidence-based recommendations to improve discharge planning, inter-institutional cooperation, and long-term reintegration outcomes for forensic psychiatric patients.