They have long since served their sentences, but according to a court ruling, they are too dangerous to be released. Therefore, these offenders are placed in preventive detention. "Die Nordreportage" exclusively shows daily life in this special section of the Meppen prison, where eight men are held.

You can find this and other documentaries in the ARD Mediathek: https://www.ardmediathek.de/dokus

One of those detained: Uwe L. The 61-year-old has already spent 31 years in prison, the last 21 of them consecutively. The court ruling stipulated that he must be placed in preventive detention after serving his sentence "due to the exceptional gravity of his guilt." He lives here in a 25-square-meter cell with his budgies and cooks for himself. The special feature: He is allowed out once a week.

Thomas F. has been here for 13 years. Three expert opinions were conducted, resulting in his continued detention. The 53-year-old had previously served six and a half years in prison. His daily routine consists of little more than eating and sleeping: "Every day is the same, it's the same thing day in, day out."

Ten correctional officers work in shifts to care for the eight inmates. Jens Klene, 47, has worked at the prison for 18 years, and for the past year in the preventive detention unit: He guards and monitors, but is also responsible for the inmates' care and well-being.

"The North Report" offers a glimpse into a place few people have ever seen, showing life behind bars, the daily routine in the preventive detention unit of the Meppen Correctional Facility.

More information: https://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/sendunge...

First broadcast: August 9, 2023

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