The rise and fall of Hugo Münsterberg

This article addresses the turbulent life of the German-American philosopher and psychologist Hugo Miinsterberg in Germany and his role in founding the psychological laboratories at Freiburg and Harvard. He is best known for his contributions to forensic, industrial, and the “new” experimental psychology. Over a span of twenty years (1897–1916), Miinsterberg rose to become the leading psychologist in the US. When he turned his attention to cultural and political issues, particulary his efforts on behalf of a mutual understanding between Germany and America, he had a serious break with the Harvard administration and later, his colleagues. An advocate for world peace, his final years were marred by World War I which left him embittered and socially isolated. Judged harshly at the time, he is now receiving the recognition that posterity did not tender him.     

Zum Stand der forensischen und forensisch-psychiatrischen Nachsorge in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Daten aus der sog. Pfingstabfrage 2013)

In 2007 forensic aftercare was integrated into the German Penal Code as part of legal supervision. Since then a large and growing number of patients have been supervised by forensic psychiatric aftercare units throughout Germany. Due to the federal system in Germany the system of forensic aftercare has developed differently in the 16 federal states. The number of patients looked after varies widely and the implementation of several legal norms also differs from state to state. This article gives an overview of the situation of forensic aftercare in the different German federal states and presents some specific characteristics of the development.