Berliner Vollzugsbeirat (BVB)

• Room: 0201 | Vorderhaus

• Web: berliner-vollzugsbeirat.de

• E-Mail: info@berliner-vollzugsbeirat᎐de

  
  

The Berlin Prison Advisory Board (BVB) is an independent prison policy body whose task is to advocate for the goals and further development of the Berlin prison system in the prisons and in public; the advisory board members work on an honorary basis. The Berlin Prison Act (StVollzG), in force since 1 October 2016, includes provisions in Sections 111-113, which define the tasks of the prison advisory boards and the Berlin Prison Advisory Board. The statutory task of the prison advisory councils (ABe) is to organise the execution and integration of prisoners, to promote understanding and acceptance of the prison system and to liaise with public and private institutions (Section 111 StVollzG Berlin). The Berlin Prison Advisory Board (BVB) brings together the chairpersons of the ABe and representatives of social institutions to participate in an advisory capacity in the planning and further development of the Berlin prison system (Section 112 StVollzG Berlin). The members of both advisory boards work on a voluntary basis and serve as points of contact for prisoners, staff, prison management and external prison employees. The BVB is particularly active in communication with the Senate Justice Administration, but also deals with overarching concerns, while other enquiries are forwarded to the relevant ABe. Both advisory boards have information rights vis-à-vis the justice administration and the right to enter prisons. Berlin has nine prisons and eight ABe. The ABe are appointed on a voluntary basis by the Senate Administration following proposals from various organisations. The involvement of 'normal people' and representatives of society in the prison system aims to promote the reintegration and social responsibility of prisoners. The advisory boards deal with various aspects of the prison system such as accommodation, drug problems, medical care and victim-offender mediation. The BVB in particular works closely with independent organisations and has dedicated itself to the expansion of open prisons, the reduction of overcrowding, the creation of jobs for prisoners and Muslim pastoral care. One current topic is access to information technology for prisoners.