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Thousands of foreigners are currently in Swiss prisons. Their share of all prisoners is over 70 percent. A top value in Europe. Many of them must leave the country for their home countries once they have served their sentences. Simply: they often refuse to leave Switzerland, as the “NZZ am Sonntag” writes. For example, because they have little perspective in their country of origin.
The cantons now increasingly want to encourage foreign criminals to return voluntarily. This includes counseling in prison or financial support – for example for housing, clothing, food or economic help to start up.
The federal government and the cantons are launching the “Retour” project.
A federal and cantonal foundation recently launched the “Retour” project to coordinate return consultations. The aim of the project: to prepare the prisoners for reintegration back home. A pilot test is underway in the canton of Zurich.
Joe Keel, 63, secretary of the Eastern Swiss Prison Concordat and former head of the penitentiary in the canton of St. Gallen, says: “It doesn’t work without preparation for return.” Practice shows that the implementation of country references always leads to problems.
The savings potential is great. For example, cooperative prisoners can be released on parole after two-thirds of their sentence. Even after detention, there are no costs if someone leaves voluntarily, for example for emergency assistance.
The savings potential is enormous
Berne safety director Philippe Müller (60) also confirms that this can save a lot of costs. The Canton of Bern has been working with the Red Cross for some time in the field of return advice.
He was quoted in the “NZZ am Sonntag” as saying that a saving of several tens of thousands of francs could quickly be achieved per prisoner. Because if someone leaves the country voluntarily, “the criminal costs for the remaining sentence and also those for a special flight are eliminated.”
The public sector can save tens of thousands to more than a hundred thousand francs per year per prisoner through return guidance. (oko)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
