NCJ Number
64899
Date Published
1978
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THE SITUATION OF FOREIGN INMATES IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND SPECIAL FORMS OF PRISONER ASSISTANCE APPROPRIATE TO THEIR PROBLEMS ARE OUTLINED BASED ON THE AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE IN THE FRANKFURT PRISON.
Abstract
STATISTICS INDICATE THAT APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF PRISON INMATES ARE FOREIGNERS, WITH REGIONAL VARIATIONS. THESE FOREIGNERS CAN BE CLASSIFIED IN THREE GROUPS: (1) FOREIGNERS WHO ARE RESIDING IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC FOR A LONGER PERIOD, SPEAK SOME GERMAN, AND ARE FAMILIAR WITH GERMAN CUSTOMS; (2) TOURISTS REMAINING IN GERMANY WITHOUT VISAS, RELATIVES, OR MUCH KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL MORES; AND (3) FOREIGNERS WHO ARE PASSING THROUGH, FREQUENTLY WITH DRUGS, AND WHO HAVE NO DESIRE TO STAY OR TO ADJUST. PROBLEMS ARISING FOR FOREIGN PRISONERS ARE THE NEED FOR INTERPRETERS FROM THE TIME OF THEIR ARRESTS TO MAKE COMMUNICATION POSSIBLE, THE CENSORSHIP OF LETTERS WRITTEN IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES, AND THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM CONSULATES BECAUSE OF LOCAL REGULATIONS. IN ADDITION, VOLUNTEER SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS CONCERNED WITH FOREIGNERS ARE UNABLE TO FIND ADDITIONAL TIME FOR PRISON WORK, AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF EARLY RELEASE FOR FOREIGNERS IS REDUCED BECAUSE THEY LACK OUTSIDE CONTACTS. MEASURES RECOMMENDED TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF INCARCERATED FOREIGNERS INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT OF SOCIAL WORKERS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES, PROCUREMENT OF FOREIGN READING MATERIALS, FACILITIES IN CELLS FOR LISTENING TO FOREIGN RADIO PROGRAMS, LANGUAGE COURSES, AND RELIGIOUS SERVICES. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)