Berlin: Prison inmates will be online in the future

Cut off from the outside world” my ass. In Berlin, prison cells are to be equipped with an Internet connection in the future. Implementation of the project is already in full swing, he said.

Importance of the Internet

The Berlin Senate’s decision once again highlights the importance of the Internet in today’s society. Since an increasingly large part of life takes place virtually on the World Wide Web, Internet access now has the same weight as fundamental rights. Accordingly, the German capital Berlin is backing a project called “Resocialization through Digitization” and is taking on a genuine pioneering role. After all, no other federal state has yet provided such technical features. Berlin began a Europe-wide search for a suitable company to provide the appropriate Internet connections. The contract was finally awarded to a company from Hamburg. The city has now signed a six-year contract with Telio Communications GmbH.

Modern prison conditions

While life outside correctional facilities (JVA) is developing at breakneck speed, it seems to be treading water inside prisons. This makes everyday life in prison increasingly difficult for inmates. And not only that. For many prisoners, the subsequent adjustment to society is also particularly difficult. This is where the Internet can make a positive contribution, thinks (still) Justice Senator Dirk Behrendt (Greens):

“By opening up the Internet to prisoners, the Berlin justice system is fulfilling its legal mandate to bring life in prison into line with life in freedom”

“Digital detention media system”

The commissioned company from Hamburg, he said, should now ensure that the conditions for a so-called “digital detention room media system” are created. The introduction is to take place step by step. The prison for women in Lichtenberg will probably be the first. The prison is to have a corresponding system in place from mid-2022. In the spring of 2023, the remaining Berlin correctional facilities are then to follow.

Limited Internet access

Of course, inmates won’t be entitled to a full-fledged Internet connection like the one you’re familiar with from your own four walls. The risks a correctional facility would take with that would be too great. Instead, in addition to an e-mail account, there is also access to a selected number of websites. These include not only a special information portal of the prison itself. Access to an online library is also to be provided. But anyone who thinks that prisoners are being helped to access the Internet with taxpayers’ money is barking up the wrong tree. The Berlin Senate has authorized Telio Communications GmbH to offer the relevant services to prisoners in return for payment of a fee. No costs are to be incurred by the city itself as a result. Reason to the Meckern gives it then however probably nevertheless. The blog Netzpolitik.org has criticized the fact that prisoners cannot choose between different providers. This is tantamount to a monopoly position with corresponding risks.