Inmates express dissatisfaction with daily life conditions within JVA Diez prison facility
In the heart of Rhineland-Palatinate, JVA Diez prison faces daily challenges due to factors such as parental leave, illness cases, and vacations, particularly during the summer months. This is a common issue for the over 300 staff members, including correctional officers, social services, and psychological services, who work tirelessly to maintain order and provide essential services.
The director of JVA Diez, Volker Fleck, admits that staffing becomes especially tight when all cells are occupied. In such situations, some inmate programs may be cancelled, a decision that is never taken lightly, especially when it comes to sports programs. These activities serve not only as a form of recreation but also as a therapeutic treatment for the inmates.
The high occupancy at JVA Diez also increases the stress factor within the institution. However, despite these challenges, the prison ensures that all inmates are legally entitled to one hour of outdoor exercise each day, a fundamental aspect of their daily routine.
Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister of Justice, Philipp Fernis (FDP), acknowledges the challenging situation at JVA Diez but notes that prisons have always faced periods of overcrowding. The state aims to ensure a sufficient workforce in the long term, having shortened the training period to 18 months and trained around 480 individuals between 2020 and 2025.
Despite these efforts, JVA Diez still has ten open positions in the correctional service and three in social services. The current status of staff recruitment in the social services area at JVA Diez remains unclear.
One of the dedicated staff members at JVA Diez is Wladimir Becker, who has been a prison officer since 2015. Today, everything is running smoothly at the prison, but staff shortages and unexpected events can lead to tensions. The prison continues to strive for a balanced and secure environment for both staff and inmates.
