Christmas in prison: Festive atmosphere promotes rehabilitation

Christmas in prison: Festive atmosphere promotes rehabilitation

In the prisons of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, people not only serve their sentences in the run-up to Christmas, but also celebrate festively. In the correctional facilities in Bützow, Stralsund, Waldeck and Neustrelitz, the contemplative time is celebrated with various activities and events that not only provide variety, but also serve to resocialize the prisoners. “Normality is important for reintegration into a life without punishment after release from prison,” explains Justice Minister Jacqueline Bernhardt (Left) and underlines the importance of such celebrations for the prisoners. The Borkener Zeitung provides information on this.

The prisons shine in Christmas splendor; A wooden candle arch adorns the entrances in front of the Stralsund JVA, while a self-made Advent calendar was set up in the Waldeck JVA. A large reindeer sleigh, made by the prisoners, also sweetens the atmosphere. “Traditions like Christmas should be preserved,” emphasizes Minister Bernhardt, perhaps also as a reminder of the community’s values. It is certainly important to the minister that the prisoners are not forgotten despite their actions and that they find a place in society again.

Festive activities and presents

These days there is also a lot of music going on: prison choirs and brass bands ensure the right mood for the holidays. In the Waldeck JVA, for example, there is a concert with a prisoner choir, while the Kessin brass group visits the Waldeck JVA for the second Advent. On Christmas Eve, Bernhardt will personally distribute gifts in the Waldeck prison - “These small gifts help the prisoners to feel part of society,” was her speech. The gifts are collected by associations and are intended to show prisoners that society is thinking about them, even when they are behind bars.

But it's not just gifts and music on the program. The institutions also organize sports tournaments – from skat to table tennis to darts. Church services enrich the festive program, and even a small celebration for the family members of the prisoners is held in Bützow and Neustrelitz. Human interaction is certainly not neglected, which is an important point for many people in order to find meaning in their life situation.

Culinary delights served for Christmas

And what would Christmas be without good food? On Christmas Eve, all prisoners traditionally receive potato salad with sausages. The culinary highlights are served on Christmas Day: In Waldeck and Neustrelitz there is duck leg with red cabbage, while in Bützow rabbit leg with red cabbage and dumplings is served. In Stralsund, duck leg is also on the menu for Boxing Day. These festive menus help to strengthen the sense of community in the institutions.

Overall, the Christmas celebrations in prisons are not just a ray of hope in the dreary confinement. They also serve the important task of rehabilitation by maintaining traditions and giving prisoners hope for a better future. According to Zeit, these celebrations reflect the inviolable dignity of every human being, which should not be lost among those imprisoned. A successful approach to give everyone involved the opportunity to connect with the Christmas season.