Dresden (dpa/sn) – According to the opinion of the left-wing faction in Saxony, the food rates for prisoners must be increased. “Prisoners would have to be properly cared for. In view of the rising prices for food, this is objectively not possible with the food rates, which are far too low anyway, averaging 3.24 euros per day,” said Juliane Nagel, member of the state parliament for the left, on Tuesday. The food rates would have to be raised to the level of the rates in the hospitals. These are currently at 7.67 euros.
In addition, the purchase of communal catering in the prisons (JVA) has become more expensive, but the catering rates have not been increased, as can be seen from the response from the Ministry of Justice to a small inquiry from the left. Accordingly, an increase in the catering rate has already been applied for in the preparation process for the next double budget for 2023/2024.
The remuneration for work done by prisoners and the pocket money have not increased either, said Nagel. “Around 2,000 of the 3,500 prisoners in the Saxon JVA are gainfully employed, receive a pittance of a maximum of 2.15 euros per hour and are not even included in the statutory pension insurance,” emphasized the deputy. She called on the Ministry of Justice to plan the increase in remuneration in the upcoming double budget. “It would only be fair if prisoners earned minimum wage for the work done.”
