“It's a scandal”: offenders get out of prison early because there's no room there
Created: 05/30/2022, 15:29
By: Nadja Pohr
Politicians are already trying to find a solution for the overcrowded prisons in Baden-Württemberg.
Among other things, 80 places for criminals are to be created in the former Heidelberg prison "Fauler Pelz" (archive photo).
© Uwe Anspach/dpa
The forensic prisons in Baden-Württemberg are completely overcrowded.
As a result, offenders are released early.
The internet is stunned by this.
Stuttgart - In Baden-Württemberg, criminals are being released more and more frequently.
The reason for this is that there is not enough space for criminals in the country's correctional facilities.
The number of criminals released has increased in the past three years from six (2020) to 32 (2021) and will already be 20 inmates in 2022, according to the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Justice.
There are problems especially for drug addicts who are hoping for a place in therapy, as reported
by BW24
.
At the end of April there were 82 offenders affected, 75 of whom would have waited more than three months for a place, as reported by
SWR
.
When this period has expired, the detainees can apply for their release.
How many of them will actually be released as a result cannot be predicted.
"It depends on how many of these detainees apply for release due to excessive organizational detention and how this is then decided in court in accordance with the application, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced.
Baden-Württembergers criticize the handling of overcrowded prisons
Many citizens in Baden-Württemberg are stunned that criminals can end their imprisonment early due to the overcrowded correctional facilities.
It was "a scandal and massively irresponsible," writes a Facebook user.
"That's very reassuring.
Gives a safe feeling," criticized another user.
"One should also take a look at who one locks up for what," demands one user.
Others see the solution in expanding prisons.
A user demands that this topic needs a much higher priority in politics in Baden-Württemberg.
"There are some barracks that have been shut down - it might be cheaper to rebuild than to build new," suggests a user on Facebook.
Politics in Baden-Württemberg is looking for solutions
Politicians are already trying to find a solution for the overcrowded prisons in Baden-Württemberg.
Minister of Social Affairs Manfred Lucha (Greens) advocates the temporary use of the former Heidelberg prison "Fauler Pelz" as a psychiatric facility.
However, the city of Heidelberg is planning a new campus for the university on the site.
On Thursday (June 2, 2022), Lucha wants to explain to the municipal council again the importance of the 80 new places planned there.
However, other projects are also planned in the districts of Baden-Württemberg.
A new building with 120 places and a new facility at the only center for psychiatry (ZfP) in Winnenden with 70 places are to be built in Schwäbisch Hall.
In addition, the ZfP in Calw and Wiesloch are to be expanded with 50 places each.
There are currently eight psychiatric centers in Baden-Württemberg with 1,000 beds in forensic institutions, 130 percent of which are occupied.