Suche
Mein Konto
Cologne police caught fleeing psychiatric inmate on a park bench
A 38-year-old psychiatric inmate escaped from a Cologne clinic and was caught in Velbert on June 23rd. Details about the escape and the circumstances.
Cologne police caught fleeing psychiatric inmate on a park bench
A breathless hunt began for the Cologne police on June 16, 2025, when a 38-year-old inmate at the forensic clinic in Porz-Westhoven disappeared illegally while on release. Loud Express The man was considered dangerous, so police quickly released a photo of him in an attempt to find him. Of course, the man's escape has increased tensions in the region.
The Cologne-Porz forensic psychiatric hospital, where the fugitive was housed, is characterized by its high-security facilities. With five-meter-high walls, bars and surveillance cameras, the site is designed to ensure security. Since it opened in 2009, incompetent and less culpable criminals who are admitted to psychiatric clinics in accordance with Section 63 of the Criminal Code have been treated here. The aim of this accommodation is to reintegrate the patients into society, which can only be achieved through effective therapy and qualified staff reports the clinic.
The dramatic escape
On the day in question, the man took advantage of his freedom and ran from Wasserturmstrasse into an adjacent forest. There was no use of force against the accompanying LVR employee, who remained uninjured and alerted the police. The emergency services searched the area around the Gremberg forest with the help of a police helicopter and sniffer dogs said the Express.
On June 23, 2025, a week later, the fugitive was finally found in Velbert following a tip from a witness. At around 3:15 p.m. he sat relaxed on a park bench at Froweinplatz and was taken back to the clinic without offering any resistance. This return shows how important it is that these and other security-related facilities are well monitored.
Prejudices and challenges
The discussion about forensic psychiatry is often characterized by prejudices. Many people have difficulty understanding the circumstances and legal consequences of mental illness. Loud DGPPN Mentally ill people are not generally more dangerous than healthy people, but certain diagnoses - especially in conjunction with drug abuse - can lead to aggressive behavior.
Critics also worry that patients often remain in prison for too long. A survey showed that more than one in four patients have been housed in such clinics for more than ten years. At the same time, many facilities suffer from overcrowding and a lack of staff, which endangers the success of therapy. Professor Dr. Jürgen Müller therefore urgently calls for reforms and better financing of the penal system in Germany in order to ensure the quality of treatment.
The recent events surrounding the 38-year-old's escape highlight the need to reflect on both security measures and the humanitarian aspects of forensic psychiatry. It remains to be seen what impact this incident will have on future decisions in the treatment and placement of mentally ill offenders.