Education in prison: 21 prisoners graduate!

Education in prison: 21 prisoners graduate!

The 2024/2025 school year was a successful period for 21 prisoners in Saxony-Anhalt who obtained a school leaving certificate while in custody. This positive news comes from the Raßnitz youth center (JA) and the Burg correctional facility (JVA) and shows how education in prison can serve as the key to resocialization. That's what they report Magdeburg News that a total of 12 school qualifications were completed in Raßnitz, of which 5 secondary school qualifications and 7 secondary school qualifications. In the JVA Burg, 4 men have completed secondary school and 5 have obtained secondary school qualifications.

The country's Justice Minister, Franziska Weidinger, emphasizes that education not only plays a fundamental role in creating new perspectives for prisoners, but is also an essential part of the rehabilitation process. The State Office for Employment and Education of Prisoners (LBBG) organizes these training measures and employs a total of 101 people, including teachers and vocational trainers. In addition, external education providers are involved in the measures, which expands the variety of school and vocational training options already offered.

Education as a path to integration

The importance of school and professional qualifications is clear from the figures from the past few years. In 2022, 28 inmates have already completed a secondary or secondary school diploma, and 22 prisoners were able to complete initial training or retraining. In the Raßnitz youth center, for example, 13 prisoners obtained their secondary school leaving certificate, and 9 were able to shine with a secondary school leaving certificate World, which highlights the various educational efforts.

Another success is the fact that in 2024, two prisoners in Raßnitz will have completed initial training as carpenters and several will have entered professions such as finishing specialists and metal technology. A trainee in metal technology was even recognized by the IHK as the best in his year. These successes underline the importance of education in prison, where the focus is on personal reorientation and future work ability.

Measures and funding

The correctional facilities in Saxony-Anhalt also offer various professional qualification measures. These range from carpentry training in Bautzen to bakery training in Dresden. The concept of the training not only includes classic professions, but also includes areas such as warehouse logistics, welding and electrical, as on the website Saxon justice listed. Detailed program information can also be found in the Saxon Official Gazette.

The “elis” project also gives prisoners the opportunity to use e-learning in prison, which strengthens media literacy and independence. Language courses for foreign inmates are also offered by external educational institutions so that everyone has the chance to work on their future.

Overall, it shows that the facilities in Saxony-Anhalt are on the right track. Education in prison not only creates the basis for graduating from school, but also actively prepares prisoners for life after prison. With targeted programs, external partners and a clear focus on rehabilitation, an environment is created in which rehabilitation is not just a buzzword but an active goal.