70 years of Preungesheim women's prison: insight into the everyday lives of the inmates

70 years of Preungesheim women's prison: insight into the everyday lives of the inmates

There is a very special prison in Frankfurt - Hesse's only women's prison in the Preungesheim district. It was founded 70 years ago and has been headed for the last five years by Nora Stang-Albrecht, who previously worked in men's prisons for two decades. During an interview with the Hesse show she describes the challenges and opportunities of the women's prison system.

The JVA Frankfurt III houses female inmates with a wide range of crimes, from pre-trial detention to alternative prison sentences to life imprisonment and preventive detention. There is also a mother-child home that is intended to offer mothers and their children a certain degree of stability in difficult times. Work in the institution is compulsory, but this does not apply to women in custody. Stang-Albrecht emphasizes that respectful interaction between inmates and staff is of utmost importance in order to create a supportive climate.

The reality of the penal system

Prisons in Germany are an almost closed society. This is done by bpb clarified. The impression that series like “Behind Bars – The Women’s Prison” often convey rarely reflects reality. In fact, grievances such as suicides and violence are usually only significant when they become a scandal. The article highlights the urgency of shedding light on the reality of inmates' lives and improving prison conditions.

In Germany, the proportion of female prisoners in the total number of prisoners is relatively low – around 6 percent. Nevertheless, these women often have to deal with difficult fates. Many have committed crimes that do not pose a direct threat to society. The most common offenses are property and drug crimes, although violent crimes also occur in close social circles. Historically, recidivism rates have been lower for women than men, often due to more stable social relationships.

Challenges in the women's prison system

Women's prisons struggle with numerous problems, according to studies by Krimpedia prove. Addiction problems and psychological problems are widespread among many inmates. There is a lack of sufficient educational offerings and differentiated treatment options to meet the specific needs of women. The women's prison system is also often overshadowed by the male-dominated system, which means that the special requirements and realities of life of female prisoners are often neglected.

There are currently 305 women in prison in Hesse, ranging in age from 15 to 78 years. This shows how colorful and diverse the prison population is. Reporting on the 70th anniversary of the women's prison offers the opportunity to reflect on the need for reforms and a rethink in the penal system in order to effectively support the women affected on their path to rehabilitation.