New prison in Germany will house mothers, children

A new prison in Zweibrücken, Germany, plans to allow incarcerated mothers to live with their young children. This initiative aims to prioritize the well-being of children within the prison system. The Justice Department in Zweibrücken will begin construction in 2027, providing five spaces for mothers and up to two children under one year old. The program, also serving the Saarland region, requires approval from youth services and considers manageable sentence lengths. Currently, the prison lacks such accommodations, but offers other support for mothers. The program aims to address the needs of young children, with plans for follow-up care after the child's first birthday.