A prisoner at Burg Prison is reported to have murdered his wife during visiting hours. She was on what one might term a long-term visit to her husband—these visits, it seems, are neither acoustically nor visually monitored. Rüdiger Erben, a prominent figure within the SPD, is calling for a thorough reassessment of security measures at Burg Prison.

At Burg Prison in Jerichower Land, it appears that an inmate may have taken the life of his wife. According to the Stendal public prosecutor’s office, as reported by MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT on Friday, a 35-year-old woman had paid a visit to a 37-year-old suspect on Thursday, after which she was discovered deceased.

The husband is currently under investigation on suspicion of manslaughter. The coroner is currently conducting an examination of the woman’s body. The results are anticipated to be released early next week. The public prosecutor’s office refrained from offering additional details regarding the sequence of events or the potential cause of death, referencing the ongoing proceedings.

Reports indicate that the victim was paying a visit to her husband for what has been described as a long-term stay. Such visits typically occur in specially designed rooms, free from acoustic or visual monitoring. Participants ought to be prepared for oversight by the visiting service. A prolonged visit aims to foster connections with family members, including children, within a secure environment.

Rüdiger Erben, the domestic policy spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group, conveyed his astonishment when queried by MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT on Friday. Erben underscored the necessity of patiently awaiting the outcomes of the investigations. It is evident that an examination is warranted to ascertain whether the legal requirements and internal procedures in Burg continue to ensure the requisite security.

There must be a departure from the norm – whether addressing the most perilous of prisoners or those who may appear unremarkable. Erben noted that the assailant in Halle managed to intimidate prison personnel and even made an attempt to flee.

On Friday morning, Eva von Angern, the chairwoman of the Left Party in the state parliament, remarked to MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT that the incident, which took place within a prison—an institution fundamentally under state oversight—was notably severe.

The relatives of the victim, along with the public, require swift clarity regarding the sequence of events. The state government is obliged to address the pressing question of whether this situation could have been averted.

A statement from the Green Party’s domestic policy spokesperson in the state parliament, Sebastian Striegel, indicated that there exists a concrete suspicion of femicide. He remarked that it was challenging to comprehend how a guest at a high-security prison could fall prey to such a dreadful crime. The government has a duty to guarantee safety, particularly in this area. Comprehensive and prompt enquiries are essential, particularly from the Ministry of Justice.

JVA Burg is regarded as one of the most contemporary correctional facilities in Germany. The Burg Prison (JVA) commenced operations in Saxony-Anhalt in the year 2009. The Ministry of Justice reports that this facility stands as one of the most contemporary and secure prisons in Germany, accommodating approximately 650 male inmates under medium to high security protocols.