Mourning for Hans-Dieter Heun: 45 years in service for the JVA Limburg!

Mourning for Hans-Dieter Heun: 45 years in service for the JVA Limburg!

The death of Hans-Dieter Heun leaves a big gap in the advisory board of the Limburg correctional facility. Heun, who died on June 19, 2025 at the ripe old age of 89, was active on the institution's advisory board for a whopping 45 years. During these years he put his experience and knowledge to the service of supporting imprisoned people who are often excluded from society. Rhein-Zeitung reports that Heun made a valuable contribution to the resocialization of inmates over the years and was even awarded the Hessian Order of Merit on Ribbon and the State Letter of Honor for his commitment.

Heun, who came to Limburg when he was still a child and came from a family of bakers, was not only known as a member of the institution's advisory board. He was also chairman of this committee for over 30 years and the longest-serving member of the Hessian prison system. His commitment went far beyond the advisory board, because as a former director of a home for children with educational difficulties and professor of educational science at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt, he brought with him a wealth of experience. [FNP].

Fight for integration

Heun repeatedly emphasized that many inmates come from difficult family backgrounds and often suffer from a lack of contact with their relatives. He highlighted this as an essential factor for social reintegration after prison. Although the Limburg JVA is equipped with individual cells that offer amenities such as a television and refrigerator, life here is anything but luxurious. With a budget of just three euros per person per day for meals, the prisoners have to work during the day to be able to afford small luxuries.

In the many years that Heun worked, he also got to know some of the dark sides of the prison system. According to his reports, problems with drugs, alcohol and cell phones are not uncommon. Heun himself only heard of two escapes in his entire career. Nevertheless, he noted that sport plays an important role in managing anger and has a positive influence on the behavior of prisoners.

Volunteering

Heun's commitment as a member of the prison advisory board is an example of how important voluntary work is in the prison system. The Hessian Ministry of Justice emphasizes that such voluntary activities are an important part of supporting imprisoned people. Volunteers are offered a variety of options to promote reintegration. This includes not only individual support and contact with relatives, but also group offers such as cooking courses or musical and creative impulses. Hesse Ministry of Justice shows how such offers can strengthen the social skills of prisoners and make a decisive contribution to resocialization.

The sadness for Hans-Dieter Heun can be felt throughout the entire community. His tireless commitment and his big heart for incarcerated people will be remembered. He knew how to build bridges and support the often forgotten members of society. An impression that he has left over all these years and that will continue to be a role model for many.