New prison building in Zwickau is a financial fiasco
The problems and delays in the construction of the planned large prison in Zwickau, Saxony, pose enormous problems for the Thuringian prison system from a trade union perspective. "We do not doubt the necessity of a joint prison with Saxony, but the misguided developments and the financial fiasco must not be at the expense of Thuringia's civil servants," demanded Ronny Rüdiger, state chairman of the Association of Prison Officers in Thuringia.
The uncertainties about the costs and the completion date made personnel planning for all five prison locations in the Free State more difficult. At the same time, Rüdiger said, a rethink was necessary in the distribution of financial resources for the Thuringian prison system. The prolonged operation of uneconomical prisons such as Hohenleuben now also required the implementation of construction projects that had not been planned in this way. The money should not be saved on staff, warned Rüdiger with a view to the already tense employment situation in the prison system.
The old prison in Hohenleuben in eastern Thuringia is to be closed with the new prison in Zwickau. In addition, staff from Thuringia will also be working in Zwickau. However, after Saxony, as the client, gave notice to the general planner for the new prison building, the opening of the joint prison of the two Free States has been postponed indefinitely.
Costs are also expected to rise further. Thuringia is contributing 42 percent of the funding. The prison had been due to open in 2019, but was last expected to open in early 2025. At the same time, the original costs of 150 million euros have now more than doubled. Rüdiger fears that this is not the end of the story.
Although the state treaty concluded with Saxony on the new prison stipulates that Thuringia will share the costs, it does not grant the state any other influence. "Thuringia did not negotiate the best conditions at the time," said Rüdiger. The union does not currently see any possibility of terminating the state treaty with Saxony.
The penal system in Thuringia is heavily impacted by the delays and financial issues surrounding the construction of the new prison in Zwickau. Rüdiger emphasized that the financial burden should not compromise the welfare of Thuringian prison staff, as their employment situation is already strained.
Source: www.dpa.com
