"Torture" of prisoners? Investigation against JVA Gablingen

Allegations of violence and abuse of power

The public prosecutor's office in Augsburg is investigating allegations of violence and abuse of power against employees of the Gablingen prison. Several prisoners had reported being mistreated by guards.

The allegations include beatings, kicks and the use of pepper spray. In one case, a prisoner is said to have been forced to stand for hours in a stress position.

Prison management rejects allegations

The prison management rejects the allegations. A spokesman said that there were no indications of violence or abuse of power by employees.

However, the public prosecutor's office is taking the allegations very seriously. A spokesman said that the investigation was still ongoing and that no further information could be given at this time.

Serious allegations

The allegations against the employees of the Gablingen prison are serious. If they are confirmed, they would represent a clear violation of human rights.

It is important that the public prosecutor's office investigates the allegations thoroughly and impartially. The results of the investigation should be made public so that the public can form its own opinion on the matter.

Background information

The Gablingen prison is a closed prison for men. It has a capacity of around 600 prisoners.

The prison has been criticized in the past for its harsh conditions. In 2019, the Bavarian Commissioner for Data Protection criticized the prison for its use of body cameras. The Commissioner found that the cameras were being used to monitor prisoners in a way that violated their privacy.