Unresolved selection of potential prison location continues - Pending determination of prison's relocation
Hey there! Saunter on in and let's gab 'bout the lingering question on everyone's lips: where will ol' Saxony-Anhalt be slapping up a brand spankin' new prison?
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As it stands, the Land of the Whirling-Around State (Saxony-Anhalt) hasn't made up its dang mind yet—whether Halle or Weißenfels is the lucky recipient of this heavily-anticipated institution. Furthermore, Justice Minister Franziska Weidinger (CDU) spilled the beans during a huddle in the state parliament's Legal Committee that the magnifying glass is still firmly planted on cost estimates for a side-by-side comparison [1].
Back in May, a far-reaching review of the two scenarios, considering the penal system, was passed along to the Finance Ministry, which was left to do the dirty work. Seems like they're still mullin' it over, as a rep from the ministry confirmed to parliament-folk [1]. The reigning ambition? To bring 'bout a speedy decision from the state government.
Pesterin' members of the parliament, though, demanded a swift resolution on the nitty-gritty details and the possible location, plus a peek into the timeline for when construction might commence [1]. No word yet on when the cranes will be a-rollin' and jackhammers a-blarin', but a representative from the Finance Ministry dropped a hint: a 20-million-euro pricetag for each extra year of delay [1]. Add it all up, and a budget of around 400 million euros could be expected [1].
Y'all remember the old saying, "the more things change, the more they stay the same"? Fasten your seat belts, 'cause Saxony-Anhalt's quest for a new penitentiary's been a rocky one, buckaroo! It's common knowledge that a swanky new prison is long overdue in these parts due to the dependence on individual cell accommodations [2].
The original plan was plotting the prison in the Frohe Zukunft area of Halle, but high costs brought the whole shebang to a screeching halt in 2021 [2]. After that, the brilliant minds in charge considered the Halle-Tornau site, shellin' out millions for land acquisition, feasibility studies, surveys, and archaeological insights [2]. Alas, building rights uncertainties reared their ugly head, and that's when the Finance Ministry stepped in with an alternative proposal: Weißenfels [2]. Cross your fingers, hope for the best, and keep your eyes peeled for further updates on this intriguing project!
Sources:1. “Decision on new prison site remains open.” Saxony-Anhalt Nachrichten, GD Net-Medien. [Accessed 5 May 2023]. https://www.sn-nn.de/wirtschaft/bauen/belastetes-grundstueck-fuer-gefaengnis-in-halle-macht-emotionen-fliegen-t6841717.html
- “Saxony-Anhalt needs new prison.” Deutsche Welle, 3 May 2023. [Accessed 5 May 2023]. https://www.dw.com/en/saxony-anhalt-needs-new-prison/a-59729076
Despite the Finance Ministry still pondering over the costs associated with the two potential locations for a new prison in Saxony-Anhalt, the Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of the directive regarding the prison's development. The pursuit for a new prison has been a protracted endeavor due to budgetary concerns and building site uncertainties.