“Modern justice meets green ideals.” That’s what comes to mind as we stand before the site of the Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster. This isn’t just another prison. It is a forward-thinking project. It reflects a commitment to both security and environmental responsibility.
The Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster is still under construction. It represents a significant upgrade from the city’s old prison. The old facility in the city center no longer meets modern standards. A renovation of the nearly 180-year-old building was not feasible. So, a new location was needed.
The chosen site is in Wolbeck. It is on the green outskirts of Münster. The Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster will consist of 13 buildings plus an outer gate. The builders are taking great care to integrate the prison into the surrounding landscape.
The BLB NRW is planting around 13000 native shrubs and trees. This will help the Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster blend in. In about ten years, a regional hedge should visually hide the facility. The trees will eventually reach up to 30 meters high.
Extensive ecological surveys were conducted before construction. Experts studied bats, birds, and amphibians. They implemented measures to avoid disturbing local wildlife. The Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster even created new habitats. These included compensation areas for lapwings and skylarks. These areas have been well-received by the birds.
In early 2021, preparatory work began. Two straightened drainage ditches were moved to the edge of the site. This improved both water ecology and flood protection. The new waterway has a natural winding course. Its banks are planted with native shrubs and trees.
Additionally, workers created a species-rich meadow and an orchard. The Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster site includes native plants. Expect to see oaks, beeches, wild cherries, wild roses, blackberries, sloes, and elderberries. These hedges, meadows, and floodplains will provide valuable habitats. Small mammals will find shelter there. Birds will have nesting sites and food.
A turning lane was built on Telgter Straße. It provides access to the Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster. Also, a kilometer-long prison wall was erected. This wall consists of 433 pre-fabricated concrete elements. Building the wall early secures the construction site. This eliminates the need for a construction fence around the 11-hectare area.
Construction of the 14 buildings began in 2024. The Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster is scheduled to open in 2026. It will be the most modern prison in North Rhine-Westphalia. The facility will house 640 inmates. This includes 200 places for pre-trial detention. There will also be 60 places in a new pedagogical center. Inmates will mostly be housed in single cells. The 18-hectare site is four times larger than the old prison on Gartenstraße.
The roofs of the new buildings will feature over 10500 photovoltaic modules. This in-roof system will generate green electricity. The PV system will have a capacity of over 4 megawatts peak. It will produce up to 3.4 gigawatt hours annually. This equals the average electricity consumption of 1100 four-person households.
The Neubau Justizvollzugsanstalt Münster represents progress. It shows how we can build secure facilities. It also integrates them into the natural world. It is a step toward a greener, more humane future for corrections.