Brandenburg Aiming to Enhance Voluntary Repatriation of Foreign Offenders
Introduction
The Brandenburg Ministry of the Interior has unveiled plans to increase the number of voluntary repatriations of foreign criminals. This move is aimed at improving the effectiveness of controlled voluntary returns.
Target Group
The initiative primarily focuses on foreign offenders from Syria, Afghanistan, and Russia who cannot be deported. Early counseling and support are crucial aspects of the program.
Early Intervention and Unified Procedures
To enhance the likelihood of successful voluntary returns, the ministry intends to initiate the repatriation process early on. Inmates will receive counseling before their release and after serving two-thirds of their sentences. The goal is to establish a standardized approach across correctional facilities and public prosecutors’ offices, ensuring consistent implementation of the program.
Benefits for Inmates
Andreas Keinath, head of the Interior Ministry department, highlights that many offenders are willing to voluntarily return if they have the prospect of shortening their prison sentences and spending the final third in freedom.
Obstacles and Challenges
Despite the potential benefits, challenges exist. Inmates may face restrictions on counseling availability within correctional facilities. Moreover, public prosecutors’ offices vary in their approach to granting consent for sentence reductions upon departure.
Federal Involvement
The Interior Minister, Katrin Lange, emphasizes the need for federal assistance in addressing legal barriers to the repatriation of criminals. In cases where offenders cannot be deported due to a lack of cooperation from their home countries, voluntary repatriation offers an alternative solution.
Supported Departures and Document Issues
Controlled voluntary returns involve an escort by an official from Brandenburg’s Central Foreigners Authority (ZABH). This ensures a safe and orderly repatriation process. However, obtaining passports can be challenging for offenders, which poses an obstacle to their return.
Effective Implementation
To ensure the program’s success, Lange plans to implement a decree outlining specific measures to improve the chances of controlled voluntary returns. This decree will provide clear guidelines and foster cooperation between various stakeholders, including correctional facilities, public prosecutors’ offices, and the ZABH.
Conclusion
Brandenburg’s initiative highlights the growing importance of voluntary repatriation as a tool to manage foreign offenders. By addressing obstacles, implementing early intervention measures, and promoting a standardized approach, the program aims to increase the number of successful returns and reduce the burden on the criminal justice system.
