Justizvollzugsanstalt Tegel

Justizvollzugsanstalt Tegel is a correctional facility in the Reinickendorf district, surrounded by a high perimeter wall with guard towers spaced along its length. The compound contains separate buildings and sections designed to house different groups of detainees and manage daily operations.

Construction began in 1896 and the facility opened in 1898 as a Royal Penitentiary, representing reform approaches in criminal justice of that era. It became one of Berlin's major correctional institutions and functioned continuously for more than a century.

A neo-Gothic chapel inside the complex reflects the architectural tastes of the Imperial German era. The building style shapes how visitors experience the interior spaces and understand the facility's historical character.

The exterior of the complex can be viewed from outside, allowing visitors to see the main buildings and wall structures from nearby streets. Access to the interior requires prior arrangement, as the site remains an active correctional facility with restricted visiting times.

Since the 1960s, inmates have produced a prison newspaper that circulates nationwide and covers stories from inside the institution. This long-running publication demonstrates how detainees participate in documenting life within the facility.

Location: Berlin

Inception: July 26, 1896

Official opening: October 1, 1898

GPS coordinates: 52.57310,13.29330

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:21