Inmates express dissatisfaction with daily living conditions at Diez Prison over a span of 23 hours
In the small town of Diez, Rhineland-Palatinate, the Justizvollzugsanstalt (prison) is currently at odds with issues of overcrowding and staff shortages. With over 460 inmates housed within its walls, the facility exceeds its capacity, causing stress and challenges for both staff members and inmates.
Justice Minister Philipp Fernis (FDP) has admitted that not enough prison officers have been trained for years. The facility is currently seeking ten prison officers and three social workers to address the staff shortage. However, the organization responsible for training new employees at the Diez Correctional Facility remains unclear.
Staff members at the Justizvollzugsanstalt in Diez have faced significant stress and challenges in recent months. The high occupancy rates within the institution have increased stress levels, and each day presents challenges in staffing, particularly during the summer due to parental leave, illness cases, and vacations.
Inmates in the Justizvollzugsanstalt have reported waiting over a year for their prison plans, which are crucial for accessing services like psychotherapy and early release. Delays in providing basic items like hair clippers and three-prong plugs have been reported to be around half a year.
The state has reduced the training period for recruits to 18 months and plans to train around 480 people from 2020 to 2025, according to the Ministry of Justice. Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister of Justice, Philipp Fernis (FDP), acknowledges the current situation at Diez Prison is not ideal but aims to ensure there are enough staff in the correctional service long-term.
The partner of an inmate has expressed concern about the mental health of inmates due to the cancellation of sports, social interaction, and therapeutic conversations. The cancellation of sports programs at Diez Prison is painful for everyone, as they are also a form of therapy.
Over 300 people work at Diez Prison, including correctional officers, social services, and psychological services. Despite the overcrowding, staffing levels have not increased. Volker Fleck, the director of Diez Prison, admits that staffing becomes tight when all cells are occupied.
Wladimir Becker, a prison officer at JVA Diez, has been working there since 2015. He has witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by both staff and inmates. Hair clippers and other electrical devices at Diez Prison must pass through security checks before distribution, due to potential contraband.
Cancellation of some inmate programs occurs due to staff shortages at Diez Prison. Delays in providing prison plans have prevented an inmate from starting an apprenticeship as a blacksmith. The partner of an inmate has reported irregularities in the Justizvollzugsanstalt in Diez, including cancelled activities, extended cell confinement, and delayed prison plans.
As Diez Prison continues to grapple with overcrowding and staff shortages, efforts are being made to address these issues and ensure the well-being of both staff members and inmates. The Ministry of Justice aims to train around 480 people over the next five years to address the staff shortage, while the Director of Diez Prison works to manage staffing levels as efficiently as possible.
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