Solution for JVA-Zwickau to be found before summer break

Saxony and Thuringia want to find a viable solution on how to proceed with the construction of the joint correctional facility in Zwickau before the summer break. Saxony's Finance Minister Christian Piwarz (CDU) assured MPs in the state parliament in Dresden of this. He rejected the accusation of state failure made by the AfD. Instead, the project is an example of how complex public construction projects can be maintained and brought to a successful conclusion, especially in times of crisis.

Members of parliament want clarity on the progress of the work

Representatives of several parliamentary groups had previously called for clarity on the construction of the large prison with up to 820 prison places. The construction costs have exploded and have already doubled from the original 150 million euros. The timetable has also gotten completely out of hand. Originally, the first prisoners were supposed to move in as early as 2019. Thuringia now wants to renegotiate the corresponding state treaty with Saxony.

This is why the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) had requested a debate under the motto "Problematic state construction site - Will Zwickau prison become a million-dollar grave?". "Many people hope that the project will fail and are full of malice,
but we don't share that view," said BSW member of parliament Bernd Rudolph. However, it must be acknowledged that "this looming disaster" is causing ridicule, incomprehension and head-shaking among the population.

CDU considers the term "problem construction site state" to be populist

To turn the problems with this construction into a "problem construction site state" is populist, said CDU MP Roland Pohle. Saxony had given notice to the general planner for the project at the end of 2023. Since then, the construction site has largely been at a standstill. Pohle made it clear that contractors no longer queue up when the state is the client.

The AfD MP Volker Dringenberg summed up the construction with the words "bankruptcy, bad luck and mishaps" and accused the state of irresponsible use of taxpayers' money. The Free State had already had to pay 200 million euros more for its building construction projects in recent years. He also criticized the government's information policy.

Left: "We must save what can be saved"

The prison construction site must not become the "Saxon BER", emphasized Left politician Rico Gebhardt, alluding to disputes surrounding the capital's airport. "We have to save what can be saved. That's why the state parliament must now not only deal intensively with the further construction process, but also with the question: Are we holding on to the Zwickau-Marienthal prison on this scale?" Gebhardt called for transparency.

Piwarz pointed out that, despite all the adversities, seven detention buildings, the work facilities, a multifunctional building with a visitor center and administration, a sports hall and the necessary infrastructure have been built. The shell of the buildings and the building envelope are complete. "So anyone who talks about a ruin here is ignoring reality." However, there have been serious setbacks, he admitted.

Greens want an honest reassessment of the project

Greens politician Valentin Lippmann suggested an "honest reassessment" of the project with the possibility of rescheduling. The focus should now be on completion. After all, there is basically no alternative and hoping for failure is dangerous. A halt to construction or even an abandonment with subsequent demolition would be disproportionate to the current problems. That would make the project not a million-dollar project, but probably a billion-dollar one.