Bern, Switzerland – In a reversal of a previous decision, the Bernese cantonal parliament has narrowly approved a plan to establish a temporary container prison to alleviate severe overcrowding in regional jails. The decision, reached on Thursday, greenlights a scaled-back version of a project that was previously rejected, signaling a shift in approach to address the growing crisis within the canton’s correctional system. The approved plan will provide between 20 and 30 spaces, ideally located on the grounds of an existing prison facility.
The move comes as Bern’s prisons operate at capacity, a situation exacerbated by a high number of individuals serving sentences in lieu of paying fines. The debate surrounding prison capacity and solutions has been ongoing, with lawmakers grappling with the balance between public safety, budgetary constraints, and humane treatment of inmates. This latest decision represents a compromise aimed at providing immediate relief while longer-term solutions, such as the construction of a novel prison in Witzwil, are implemented.
Narrow Vote Reflects Deep Divisions
The vote in the Grosser Rat (Grand Council) was close, with 78 votes in favor and 75 against, alongside three abstentions. The motion, initially proposed by André Roggli of the Mitte party, was supported by the center-right bloc, who emphasized the necessitate for swift action to uphold the rule of law. Opponents, primarily from the left-leaning parties, the Green Liberal Party (GLP), and the Evangelical People’s Party (EVP), argued that preventative measures and addressing the root causes of crime would be more effective than simply increasing prison capacity. Christa Ammann, representing the Green/AL party, stated that preventative work, not a reactive expansion of facilities, was the appropriate solution.
René Müller of the EVP expressed concern over the repeated debate, stating, “This democratic decision must be respected.” Security Director Philippe Müller (FDP) had initially advocated for a larger facility, capable of housing 40 inmates, but the parliament opted for the smaller, temporary solution.
The decision to approve the container prison is largely attributed to increased party discipline and a stronger showing of support from the center-right factions. A review of the voting records reveals a significant shift from the previous vote in autumn 2024, when a 5.6 million Swiss franc proposal for a regional prison in Burgdorf was rejected. According to reports, the SVP saw a decrease in dissenting votes – from three in 2024 to just one this year, with a move from three abstentions to three votes in favor. All members of the SVP, FDP, and Mitte parties participated in the vote, compared to three absences from the center-right bloc in the previous year.
Long-Term Solutions and Alternative Sentencing
The container prison is intended as a temporary measure to bridge the gap until the new prison in Witzwil is completed. The Witzwil facility, slated to open in the mid-2030s, will replace the aging Biel Regional Prison and provide space for closed-custody inmates currently housed at the Thorberg facility. Thorberg will then be used as a buffer to manage fluctuations in the prison population.
Recognizing the underlying issues contributing to prison overcrowding, the Bernese parliament also passed a separate initiative on Wednesday aimed at reducing the number of individuals incarcerated for non-payment of fines. This initiative proposes converting unpaid fines into community service, and calls for a broader strengthening of community service as a viable sentencing option, potentially through public awareness campaigns. The cantonal administration detailed these efforts in a recent press release.
The approval of the container prison represents a pragmatic, albeit temporary, solution to a pressing issue. The focus now shifts to the swift implementation of the plan and the continued development of long-term strategies to address the root causes of prison overcrowding in the canton of Bern. The success of the community service initiative will be a key factor in determining the long-term effectiveness of these combined efforts.
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