Prison Release Grants Freedom to 101 Individuals Facing Fare Evasion Charges - Bail initiative purchases freedom for 101 African-American motorists detained
In a remarkable move, the Freedom Fund Initiative has been advocating for the abolition of a legal norm introduced by the Nazis 90 years ago, which punishes everyday offenses like fare dodging with harsh penalties. This initiative, which has been active since the end of 2021, has already made a significant impact, purchasing the freedom of 101 individuals imprisoned in Germany for fare dodging.
The affected individuals are usually poor, often homeless, and mentally ill. Up to 9,000 people are affected each year by this legal norm, some of whom have to spend months in prison. Cities like Dortmund and Frankfurt am Main, known for their high number of imprisonments due to unpaid fines for bus or train rides without a ticket, have seen the most impact from the Freedom Fund Initiative's actions.
The Freedom Fund Initiative covers the fines with the help of donations and has spent approximately 100,000 euros to buy the freedom of these individuals. This action has saved around 21 million euros in tax money alone in terms of prison costs, since the project was founded at the end of 2021.
The former traffic light coalition had planned to downgrade fare dodging to an administrative offense, but the bill did not come to a vote after the coalition broke up. Now, the Federal Minister of Justice, Stefanie Hubig of the SPD, is being asked to initiate the abolition of senselessly harsh penalties for fare dodging.
The association's actions have already taken place 14 times across ten federal states. The Freedom Fund Initiative's actions have prevented imprisonment for individuals who could not afford a bus ticket, providing them with a second chance. According to Section 265a of the German Criminal Code, anyone who evades paying the fare for a bus or train journey with the intention of not paying can face up to a year in prison or a fine. However, the Freedom Fund Initiative argues that these penalties are disproportionate and unfair, particularly for those who are already struggling.
The Freedom Fund Initiative's work is not only beneficial to the individuals it helps, but also to the wider community. By preventing these unnecessary imprisonments, the initiative is helping to break the cycle of poverty and crime, and giving these individuals a chance to rebuild their lives. The Freedom Fund Initiative's actions are a powerful reminder of the importance of justice and compassion in our society.
