Overview

• In 2024, hundreds of prisoners across Germany, including 248 in North Rhine-Westphalia, have been released early under the Christmas amnesty program.
• The amnesty applies to inmates with good behavior whose sentences were set to end between late November and early January, facilitating their reintegration during the holiday season.
• Exclusions apply to those convicted of serious crimes, such as sexual offenses or violent acts, as well as individuals deemed to pose a risk or who violated prison rules.
• The program is designed to ease the transition for inmates by allowing them to access social services, secure housing, and reconnect with family before the holidays.
• While the initiative is rooted in tradition, participation varies by state, with smaller numbers of releases in regions like Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate.