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Germany tightens prison rules after corruption scandal
🇩🇪 Germany /Crime & Justice

Germany tightens prison rules after corruption scandal

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • North Rhine-Westphalia's Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach announced new measures to combat corruption in the state's correctional system.
  • The reforms tighten the path to open-custody prisons for organized crime offenders and halt all current transfer procedures for these inmates.
  • Investigations are ongoing against eight correctional officers for bribery and three former inmates for corruption.

North Rhine-Westphalia's Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach has introduced a package of measures aimed at tightening security and combating corruption within the state's correctional facilities, following a bribery scandal at the Euskirchen prison.

The path to open custody will be significantly tightened for offenders from organized crime.

— Benjamin LimbachAnnouncing new measures to restrict access to open prisons for organized crime offenders.

"The path to open custody will be significantly tightened for offenders from organized crime," Limbach stated in Düsseldorf. He emphasized that individuals involved in organized crime will no longer be immediately transferred to open-custody facilities. Furthermore, all current transfer proceedings for inmates from organized crime groups have been halted and will be re-evaluated. The minister declared, "We will not be dictated to by organized crime."

Under the new regulations, transfers from closed to open custody will undergo strict scrutiny, incorporating a "four-eyes principle" involving prison management. A comprehensive 360-degree analysis of organized crime structures within North Rhine-Westphalia's prisons is also being commissioned in cooperation with the Ruhr Security Conference. Corruption experts will analyze the system's vulnerability to corruption and propose countermeasures.

We will not be dictated to by organized crime.

— Benjamin LimbachStating the government's resolve against criminal influence in prisons.

Currently, 180 inmates associated with organized crime are under scrutiny, with 30 in open custody and 150 in closed custody. The Euskirchen investigation revealed that inmates could allegedly "book subscriptions" for monthly payments to staff, ensuring warnings before inspections. Some criminals reportedly manipulated their registered addresses before imprisonment to qualify for open custody in Euskirchen, even arranging sham employment. Limbach stressed, "Should the allegations prove true, this is an unbearable breach of trust. We will pursue it with the full force of the law."

Should the allegations prove true, this is an unbearable breach of trust. We will pursue it with the full force of the law.

— Benjamin LimbachCommenting on the potential consequences if bribery allegations are confirmed.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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