Construction Dilemma: Still Unclear If Saxony-Anhalt's New Prison Will Rise in Halle or Weißenfels
Controversial location for potential new penitentiary still undecided - Pending determination of the potential site for the new correctional facility
In the heart of Germany, the uncertainty persists - Saxony-Anhalt is yet to make a final call on where to construct its long-awaited new prison. Justice Minister Franziska Weidinger (CDU) confirmed the ongoing debates within the Legal Affairs Committee of the state parliament.
The Ministry of Justice is currently delving into financial estimates to compare the two potential sites - Halle and Weißenfels. Their analysis followed a thorough review of both locations, completed back in May, which was promptly submitted to the Finance Ministry. However, the Finance Ministry is yet to clarify their stance.
Expectant politicians are pressing for a speedy resolution, with uncertainties surrounding the building's specific location and anticipated timeline for construction. The representative from the Finance Ministry hinted at estimated additional costs of 20 million euros for every year of delay, bringing the total construction cost to around 400 million euros.
History of Delays and Redirections
For quite some time, the need for a new prison in Saxony-Anhalt has been glaring, mainly due to the requirement of individual cell accommodation. Initially, the prison's construction was slated for Frohe Zukunft in Halle. However, the project experienced a setback in 2021 due to markedly increased costs, leading the state to explore alternative locations.
Eventually, Halle-Tornau was considered, with substantial investments already directed toward land acquisition, feasibility studies, and archaeological investigations. Construction was halted, though, due to lingering concerns about building rights. To expedite matters, the Finance Ministry presented Weißenfels as an alternative site, focusing on swifter decision-making processes.
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Weißenfels
- BMF
- Franziska Weidinger
- CDU
- Despite the Commission's ongoing deliberations on the application of the directive, the financial implications of constructing Saxony-Anhalt's new prison in either Halle or Weißenfels remain a significant issue in the realm of politics and general-news.
- As the Construction Dilemma in Saxony-Anhalt continues, it appears that the decisions regarding the prison's site and associated costs have become intertwined with the Finance Ministry's stance, bringing the matter to the broader political arena.
