Escape from Open Prison in Giessen: Alcohol-Fueled Inmate Absconds
Giessen, Germany – An inmate at Giessen prison is alleged to have escaped from the second floor of the open-prison facility by rappelling down with knotted blankets, all in pursuit of alcohol. The escape, which occurred shortly after Christmas 2024, went unnoticed until the following day.
Incident Details
According to the Hessian Ministry of Justice, four prisoners in the open ward had consumed alcohol on the evening of December 27th, 2024. In order to replenish their supply, they devised a plan to have one of their members rappel down from a forced-open window on the second floor. Despite the fact that doors are generally closed for open-prison inmates during the evening, the prisoners proceeded with their plan.
However, the knotted blankets used for the descent came loose, causing the inmate to fall. Despite this setback, he managed to purchase more alcohol and consumed it himself. He then boarded a train to Butzbach, where he voluntarily turned himself in to the police and was returned to Giessen prison, this time to the closed ward.
Consequences
The incident has had serious repercussions for the four inmates involved. "The misconduct of the four prisoners resulted in their removal from the open ward and the revocation of their privileges for open-prison measures such as unaccompanied exits," the Ministry of Justice stated. "Additionally, the JVA (Giessen prison) has filed a criminal complaint against the involved prisoners for aiding and abetting escape."
Open Prison System
The open-prison ward at Giessen prison lacks walls and barred windows. "The prisoners housed there are being prepared for release and generally hold jobs outside the JVA," the Ministry further explained.
The Hessian prison system meticulously assesses the suitability of inmates for open prisons. "As a result, escapes from open prisons are rare in Hessen – there have been three cases in the past ten years," the Ministry added.
Enhanced Security Measures
In the wake of the recent incident, the head of Giessen prison has ordered increased security checks in the open ward. "Compared to other states, the proportion of inmates in open prisons is low in Hessen," the statement concluded.
