Incarceration Complex Saga: Zwickau-Marienthal Detention Center Faces Delays, Cost Hikes, and Political Wrangles
Zwickau's JVA Project Expected Completion in 2029 - Construction Costs Soar to €476 Million
August 15, 2026, 10:47 AM (Updated)
The construction of the joint detention center in Zwickau-Marienthal between Saxony and Thuringia has become the embodiment of large-scale project failures, marked by delays, escalating costs, and political feuds. The new deadline for completion of this controversial project was reported by our website SACHSEN on August 15th.
- The JVA in Zwickau-Marienthal is set to be completed by 2030.
- The construction project has been haunted from its inception.
- Construction delays and cost overruns continue to generate debates.
The joint detention center of Saxony and Thuringia in Zwickau is scheduled for completion in 2030 as announced by the Saxon Ministry of Finance on Monday. The projected construction costs have been estimated to reach up to 620 million euros - a staggering increase of around 250 million euros compared to initial plans, with a 40 million euro risk provision to account for future price fluctuations.
Appointing a Total Contractor
In an attempt to make the construction more cost-effective, a "total contractor" will be enlisted to manage further planning and construction responsibilities in a single capacity. Currently, the construction site in Zwickau remains on hold, with plans to resume work in 2029. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2031.
State Secretary Sebastian Hecht, from the Ministry of Finance, stated that both states of Saxony and Thuringia are committed to the major construction project, acknowledging the complexities involved. "We have agreed to continue our joint journey despite the hurdles."
Project History and Setbacks
Ten years ago, Thuringia and Saxony initiated a joint prison project. Despite early warnings from several experts and political critics, the states planned a detention center with 820 prison cells.
- The original plan called for the first prisoners' arrival in 2021. However, the deadline was pushed back to 2026.
- In October 2025, Saxony terminated the original general planner due to cost overruns, delays, and unfulfilled obligations.
- The Leipzig S&P Sahlmann Planning Company then took over as the new general planner in June 2026.
Current Status
The initially budgeted 150 million euros for the JVA have since surged to over 460 million euros. During the debate surrounding the new construction in the Saxon state parliament in May, it was disclosed that the state government was already anticipating an additional doubling of costs. Thuringia bears approximately 45 percent of the expenses, but as a consequence of the cost increase, speculations regarding Thuringia's potential withdrawal have intensified.
However, as of August 15th, Thuringia's withdrawal appears to be off the table, and Tobias J. Knoblich, State Secretary in Thuringia's Infrastructure Ministry, declared that negotiations had ensured a "controlled and regulated continuation" of the JVA construction. Knoblich acknowledged a newly found trust and a mutual will to restore the project back on track.
Update: August 15, 12:35 PM
Thuringia's Ministry of Finance has disputed the outlinediled cost increase figures, stating that the previously stated 620 million euro budget estimate is incorrect and optimistic, citing unspecified issues in the construction plans. The ministry also pointed out that no formal decision regarding a potential withdrawal has been made.
Video (Available in Middle German Broadcast Archive): Joint prison of Saxony and Thuringia: Standstill in Zwickau
Though our begins this project ten years ago, construction delays and budget shortcomings have hindered the detention center's construction, pushing back the scheduled completion date to the end of 2026. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing saga.
Audio (Available in Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Archive): Comparing the Controversy Surrounding the JVA Construction
Listen to this informative audio feature discussing the controversies arising from the delayed detention center construction, alternative views concerning the potential impact of a withdrawal, and the economic consequences. "Saxony and Thuringia's JVA: A Tug-of-War over Costs" - Coming soon.
- The completion date for the controversial joint detention center in Zwickau-Marienthal has been pushed back to the end of 2026 from the initial plan in 2021.
- The projected costs for the construction of the joint detention center have inflated from the original budget of 150 million euros to over 460 million euros, leading to speculations about Thuringia's potential withdrawal.
- The JVA in Zwickau-Marienthal is set to begin operations in 2031 after several setbacks, delays, and cost overruns.
