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Prosecutors Detail Suspected Bribery Scheme at Euskirchen Prison

The justice minister ordered statewide prison security reviews in response to alleged pay-for-perks in the open system.

Overview

  • The probe, which led to Friday raids with about 210 officers, now targets eight staff members and three former inmates linked to organized crime circles.
  • Prosecutors say inmates paid monthly fees to get warnings before cell checks and to have violations fixed after the fact.
  • Staff allegedly supplied fake residence registrations and sham jobs to make prisoners eligible for transfer to the open prison and to bypass required checks.
  • After a briefing to state lawmakers Tuesday, the justice minister ordered a special audit of Euskirchen and security reviews at all 36 state prisons.
  • The justice ministry also told lawmakers that two electronic master transponders are missing from the facility.