The director of the new prison near Sanem spoke to our colleagues from RTL Radio about the importance of holding prisoners awaiting trial in a separate facility and how the new prison will benefit Schrassig as well.
In the presence of the Grand Duke, the new prison for presumed innocent men in pre-trial detention was inaugurated on Wednesday at Uerschterhaff near Sanem. The penitentiary will have a maximum capacity of 400 beds. Even though preparations for the new prison began eleven years ago, Prison Director Jeff Schmit assured that the Uerschterhaff facility is fully in line with a modern penal system. The security system was "constantly adapted" throughout the construction process.
Because prisoners awaiting trial have not yet been sentenced, it is important to separate them from convicted prisoners, according to Schmit, adding that this is also in accordance with international standards. Until now, prisoners awaiting trial were held alongside convicted prisoners in Schrassig and often represented half of Schrassig's prison population. The opening of the new prison at Uerschterhaff is likely to benefit the often overcrowded prison in Schrassig as well. There are also plans to renovate and modernise the in many ways outdated penitentiary in Schrassig.
Prisoners will be relocated gradually until February/March
Every male arrested in Luxembourg will be brought to Uerschterhaff as of Monday 5 December. Those currently awaiting trial in Schrassig will also be transferred, but this will be done gradually, according to Schmit. The transfer will be organised "over the course of several weeks" and is expected to be completed by February/March. From that point onwards, every male prisoner awaiting trial will be exclusively held at Uerschterhaff, Schmit stated. The prison director noted that it is important to organise the transfer in stages because the prison administration is still conducting tests, only now under real-world conditions with actual prisoners. Beginning next week, the administration will see "if everything works as intended." For this reason, two of the four detention buildings will remain closed. There is also still room to adjust procedures if necessary, Schmit said.
Less staff needed due to large number of cameras
The prison administration has "mostly" found all of the personnel needed to run the prison, some of whom have also received training at Schrassig. In addition to 230 prison guards, the prison employs around 140 administrative staff members. Besides employees, the prison will also collaborate with external staff, such as medical or educational personnel. Schmit explained that the high number of cameras allowed the administration to cut down on human resources.
Uerschterhaff: A new prison built to modern standards
Uerschterhaff consists of several small units that can house up to 12 people per block. Prisoners awaiting trial at Uerschterhaff are less restricted when it comes to movement and activities than those at Schrassig, Schmit explained. Prisoners will have access to the courtyard for 2-3 hours every day. Unlike at Schrassig, the courtyard is monitored by cameras rather than guards. There are also no plans for traditional prison workshops at Uerschterhaff.
Schmit admitted that planning ahead of time is difficult because it is often uncertain how long a prisoner awaiting trial will remain at Uerschterhaff. "Prisoners awaiting trial live in a great unknown," according to Schmit. Pre-trial detention can range anywhere from a few days to three to four years.
Uerschterhaff Prison will also have a wing dedicated to judicial authorities, with the possibility of on-site trials. Schmit does not believe the distance between the prison and the courts of Luxembourg City or Diekirch to be a concern, pointing out that Schrassig faces the same difficulty and that there are no places in Luxembourg where traffic is not an issue.
