Prisons in Germany

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The prison service in Germany is run solely by the federal states although governed by a federal law. The aim of confinement in Germany is two-fold: emphasis is placed on enabling prisoners to lead a life of “social responsibility free of crime” upon release, but society is also to be protected from further acts of crime by the guilty.

1 Organisation
2 Confinement
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Organisation

The head offices for the state prison services are in the respective state justice ministry. There, a prison service department controls the organisation of the prison service, personnel matters, basic and advanced training for prison staff, budgets, construction, cooperation in prison service legislation, the employment of prisoners, and vocational training and education for prisoners. It also reviews petitions and complaints and its representatives visit and inspect the prisons regularly. There is generally no mid-level authority between the Ministry of Justice and the prisons. This direct contact facilitates decision-making and ensures the ministry is close to the life of the prison service.

[edit] Confinement

As a rule, pretrial confinement is conducted at a facility close to the public prosecutor’s office that is prosecuting the case. Criminals who have never been imprisoned (or were imprisoned for a maximum of three months) are generally assigned to prisons for first-time offenders (Erstvollzug). Recidivists are assigned to so-called regular imprisonment (Regelvollzug). People who receive long sentences are imprisoned at a maximum security prison (Langstrafenanstalt). Special institutions are also provided for female and juvenile prisoners and for those with special health or psychiatric needs.