Every 19th Inmate in Custody for Unpaid Fine - Germany’s 2024 reform cuts jail time for unpaid fines by half
A 2024 legal reform has halved the risk of imprisonment for unpaid fines. The change addresses critics' concerns about substitute custodial sentences disproportionately targeting the poor. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's figures show a significant drop in inmates jailed for this reason since the law took effect.
Before the reform, those unable to pay fines often faced imprisonment. Critics noted that unemployed or overindebted individuals were hardest hit. In 2023, an average of 71.2 inmates per day in the state served substitute sentences—this fell to 50.4 in 2024.
The state offers community service as an alternative to custody. Six hours of community service can replace a day behind bars. For those in financial hardship, just three hours of work suffices. Each day in prison costs taxpayers around €200, making community service a far cheaper option. Despite the changes, concerns persist. One in every 19 inmates in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is still imprisoned for unpaid fines. The reform has eased the burden, but the system continues to affect low-income groups more than others.
The reform has already reduced the number of inmates serving substitute sentences. Daily averages dropped by over 20 in just one year. Yet with prison costs high and poverty still a factor, the debate over fairer alternatives is likely to continue.
