Cashless in prison: NRW tests card payment for prisoners!

Cashless in prison: NRW tests card payment for prisoners!

In a groundbreaking step for the correctional facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia, the card payment is tested in three prisons! Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach (Greens) announced that the necessary EC card readers will soon be purchased. So far, it was only possible to pay cash or by bank transfer, for example to free yourself from a substitute imprisonment. But that could change soon!

The pilot phase is carried out in the correctional facility Attendorn, Bielefeld-Senne and Castrop-Rauxel-all facilities of the open execution. "In recent years, especially due to Corona pandemic, cashless payment transactions have become more important. The need for alternatives to cash traffic in our prisons has increased," said Limbach. If the test is successful, the devices should be introduced in all 36 correctional facilities in the country!

a new way for compensation sentences

With the new payment method, occupants could in future trigger themselves with their bank card from a substitute imprisonment as soon as they have money back in their account or if relatives transfer the remaining amount. These punishments are imposed if fines cannot be paid, and the remaining amount is calculated proportionately after days of detention.

But that's not all! The portable reading devices could also be used when selling imprisoned products at trade fairs or Christmas markets, where only cash payments have been accepted so far. A real progress for prisons in NRW, which could significantly expand the possibilities for occupants!