Unused detention facilities abound in Germany, despite plans for expansion
In Baden-Württemberg, 80% of deportation detention center places were occupied on average since the beginning of the year, according to official data. However, a survey by "Der Spiegel" suggests a different picture, with the discrepancy largely stemming from differences in data collection methods, definitions of occupancy, and transparency of reporting.
Government officials typically report occupancy rates based on the officially designated capacity of detention centers and administrative counts. These figures often exclude temporary overflow arrangements, contingency spaces, or detainees held in non-traditional facilities, reflecting an intended or standardized occupancy level rather than real-time or peak occupancy.
In contrast, investigative surveys like those conducted by "Der Spiegel" gather data from multiple sources, including whistleblowers, on-site observations, or leaked internal documents. These surveys reveal higher actual occupancy levels, including overcrowding beyond nominal capacity, and operational issues like double-bunking or holding detainees in common areas, which official counts do not consider as "capacity" usage.
Recent official data shows German prisons operating at around 80% of official capacity, but this figure concerns the broader prison system, not specifically immigration detention centers. Reports on detention facilities often reflect political or operational pressures, leading to differences between official portrayals and investigative findings.
As the debate continues, it's worth noting that a new deportation detention center facility is being planned in Thuringia, set to open in mid-August, offering up to 37 places. However, Thuringia has only used one reserved deportation detention place in Rhineland-Palatinate so far, contrary to claims made by the Thuringian migration minister, Beate Meißner (CDU).
Meißner justified the establishment of the new facility due to the alleged "virtually 100% utilization" of places nationwide, a claim disputed by "Der Spiegel." Meanwhile, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt also plan to establish their own deportation detention facilities, while Hesse reported an average occupancy of 58% since the beginning of the year.
Upon request, Meißner's ministry explained that foreign authorities often did not apply for deportation detention due to unavailability or high costs in other federal states. This factor could contribute to the perceived high occupancy rates in some regions, but further investigation is needed to fully understand the complexities involved.
This kind of discrepancy is common in reporting on detention facilities worldwide due to differences in reporting standards, transparency, and situational complexities. As the debate on immigration policies and detention center management continues, it's crucial to maintain a balanced and factual approach to understanding the situation.
The discrepancy in the reported occupancy rates of deportation detention centers in Germany, as shown by official data and investigative surveys like those conducted by Der Spiegel, is due to varying data collection methods, definitions of occupancy, and transparency of reporting.
Investigative surveys, which gather data from multiple sources and consider factors such as overcrowding, double-bunking, and holding detainees in common areas, often reveal higher actual occupancy levels than the official figures, which primarily focus on the officially designated capacity of detention centers and administrative counts.
