VISITS BY THE JOINT COMMISSION So far, the facility’s house rules are only available in German. The visiting delegation was informed that an English translation was being done. This is expressly welcomed. However, translations into other languages, namely those most commonly spoken by detainees awaiting deportation, should also be provided, as is already the case in regard to individual leaflets. At the time of the visit Nuremberg Prison was holding 11 male and five female detainees awaiting deportation. 1.8.1 – Positive findings Talking to staff and detainees awaiting deportation revealed that the fact that a social worker has been assigned to the Pre-Deportation Detention Wing is leading to an improvement in the detainees’ situation. Studying the detainees’ files also confirmed that this was the case, since they indicated that the social worker had in many cases mediated between the detainees and the management. The detainees awaiting deportation and the social worker herself also mentioned the great commitment shown by one member of the refugee assistance, who has been looking after the concerns of detainees awaiting deportation for many years. 1.7.2 – Preliminary result The Ministry of Justice of Lower Saxony has in the meantime informed the Joint Commission in writing that Langenhagen Unit is to return to its original operations and that it will in future only be admitting detainees awaiting deportation. According to the Ministry, the Lower Saxony Enforcement and Admissions Plan has been amended. Since 1 January 2014 only detainees awaiting deportation may be booked into the Langenhagen Unit. The male sentenced prisoners who had latterly also been held there have now been moved to the main facility, Hanover Prison. Following the necessary structural measures (which will presumably be completed in late March 2014), female transit detainees, who had sometimes also been detained in Langenhagen, will in future be moved to Vechta Prison, Hildesheim Unit (which is responsible for female detainees). A working group comprising staff from Hanover Prison, led by the head of the institution, is currently working on a recommendation for reorganising the enforcement of custody pending deportation at Langenhagen Unit. The draft will likely be available in early March 2014. After the draft version has been examined by the Ministry of Justice of Lower Saxony and possibly again coordinated with the working group, it will be discussed with external people and groups in the context of a round table and the concept developed further. 1.8.2 – Recommendations of the Joint Commission On the day prior to the Joint Commission’s visit, the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice announced that as from 25 November 2013 Mühldorf am Inn Prison would become the central facility responsible for enforcing custody pending deportation. The Joint Commission welcomes this development, since when detainees awaiting deportation are accommodated together with sentenced prisoners and remand prisoners, even if the principle of the separation of these two groups is fulfilled, detainees have to put up with stricter restrictions than would be the case in a separate facility enforcing custody pending deportation. Even though Nuremberg Prison will in future be responsible for enforcing custody pending deportation only when Mühldorf am Inn Prison is overcrowded, the Joint Commission feels it must still make those recommendations regarding the placement of detainees awaiting deportation based on its visit to Nuremberg Prison. These recommendations can in particular be taken into account when organising custody pending deportation at Mühldorf am Inn Prison. Unlocking times for male detainees awaiting deportation are from 8.30 am to 12 noon on Mondays to Fridays and between 10.30 am and 3.45 pm at the weekend. From 4.15 pm onwards detainees awaiting deportation are locked into their rooms. Female detainees awaiting detention are allowed out of their detention rooms between 8 am and 12.30 pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 3 pm to 4 pm at the weekend. At the weekend they are allowed out of their rooms for 1 hour in the morning and 1 1/2 to 2 1.8 – THE PRE-DEPORTATION DETENTION WING IN NUREMBERG PRISON The Joint Commission visited Nuremberg Prison on 19/20 November 2013. As well as the penal and remand wings, it inspected the wings holding male and female detainees awaiting deportation. The findings and recommendations of the Joint Commission regarding the other prison wings are set out under 3.4 below. Since the visit took place late in 2013, the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice had not yet submitted its statement at the time the Annual Report went to press. It will be included in the Annual Report 2014. 63