Beyond the Sentence: Clinical and Social Determinants of Forensic Hospitalization Duration in Northern Israel

Purpose: Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization under court orders requires careful balancing of legal obligations and clinical needs. Identifying factors that influence the length of these hospital stays helps clarify the relationship between legal frameworks and psychiatric treatment. This study aims to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, and legal profiles of individuals hospitalized under court warrants and to identify factors independently associated with the duration of forensic hospitalization. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 119 patients discharged between 2018 and 2023. Data were collected from medical and legal records, including socio-demographic details, ps