The Bostadel detention centre: a factory behind bars

The Bostadel Inter-cantonal Detention Centre in Menzingen is far more than a prison for 120 serious criminals: there is a productive economic activity behind the prison walls near the Zug-Zürich cantonal border.

In its workshops, the Bostadel inter-cantonal detention centre produces various products for the private sector. Production manager André Strickler opens the doors for a tour.

Grey prison walls, with barbed wire and bullet-proof glazing: But the fact that there is an astonishing economic activity behind them becomes evident even before entering the main building in Menzingen: An electrician's delivery van stops in front of the delivery gate, while a woman brings in four antique chairs for renovation. The 120 inmates of the detention centre are all at work in one of the six production and three service companies that produce goods and fulfil orders for companies and individuals.

Fifteen prisoners in the cardboard box department are busy making cardboard items, such as folding boxes, archive boxes or special packaging. Every step is carried out carefully, every adjustment is accurate. You would hardly think that the prisoners in the closed detention centre are serving sentences for serious crimes endangering life and limb.

The Bostadel Inter-cantonal Detention Centre is an independent public law institution for 120 inmates (108 serving fixed sentences, and 12 being held in high security area due to the risk of absconding), and is jointly operated by the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Zug. As of January 1, 2020, the name will be changed to Justizvollzugsanstalt Bostadel (Bostadel Correctional Facility). The reason for this is an address change by the municipality of Menzingen, which is why the name has also been updated, says prison director Andreas Gigon.

Production manager André Strickler opens the doors for a tour

Everyday life here is regulated, and consists of seven working hours, because every prisoner is obliged to work according to Article 81 of the Swiss Penal Code. "The meaningful employment of our inmates is the main criterion," explains Andreas Gigon. “The focus is not on the profit from our operations, but on security and rehabilitation."

The prisoners therefore largely carry out manual work, with automation only where necessary. The financial figures of the detention centre show that the concept works: The annual accounts for 2018 closed with a positive result of CHF 45,434.

The most important income source is the so-called “Kostengeld” (cost payment), i.e. the amounts that the cantons pay for the prison accommodation, which amounts to CHF 13.1 million, to which CHF 3.6 million is added by sales of the products from the six production plants: metalworking, cardboard packaging, painting/lye treatment, carpentry/chair weaving, basketry and assembly. "Each operation is an independent operation, with a budget target and fixed jobs," explains production manager André Strickler.

The biggest sales were achieved by painting and metalworking. The order situation has changed from large individual orders to many small orders, especially in the industrial sector, reveals Strickler. "In addition, we find that renovations are more in demand, such as window shutters, church pews or newspaper boxes." Elaborate manual work on old-style shutters or wicker baskets is too expensive for many companies, but this work can be carried out in the "Bostadel" thanks to the statutory employment requirement. "The prisoners see that their work makes sense, and this is a first step towards reintegration into society," explains the production manager. Ensuring meaningful employment has its price, however: 107 employees in 84 full-time positions look after the inmates. Every step must be easy to understand - because many prisoners speak poor German or have a higher need for care because of their advanced age.

The work is not only meaningful, but is also paid: on average, the inmates receive about CHF 26 a day, of which a quarter goes to a closed account for the period after the sentence has been served. The work performance is also reviewed once a month, which could lead to adjustments in wages and serve as an additional incentive, says Strickler. More than 19,000 net working days were paid in all the operations in 2018, and around 2,850 orders were invoiced. In addition to local companies and individuals, the clients of Bostadel Detention Centre include municipalities, schools, churches and sheltered workshops. The laundry carries out orders for schools, restaurants and private customers, while the cleaning service and the kitchen provide internal services. The Bostadel Detention Centre, in turn, sources food and services from regional suppliers whenever possible. For example, a Neuheim bakery supplies the bread, and vegetables, and eggs and fish come from local farms. Leisure classes such as English, acrylic painting, yoga or pastoral counselling sessions are also partly carried out by regional providers.

Following the commissioning of a new building for painting/ lye treatment in 2014, all the Bostadel production facilities have been housed inside the building complex. The 120 inmates have to work in relatively confined spaces, and a total renovation and extension to 140 places is planned, including the construction of a special department for custodians and elderly detainees. "The supervisory commission headed by the Zug security director Beat Villiger supports the project, and this will be submitted to the governments of the cantons Zug and Basel-Stadt in 2020," says prison director Andreas Gigon.

In the meantime, the 120 prisoners have gone back behind the thick concrete walls for a 15-minute break. Their work is regularly seen in markets in the region. Wicker baskets, refurbished furniture and practical cardboard packaging can also be purchased at the detention centre shop on Monday to Friday from 8 to 11 am and from 2 to 4 pm.