Justizvollzugsanstalt Glasmoor, Correctional facility and heritage monument in Norderstedt, Germany
Justizvollzugsanstalt Glasmoor is an open correctional facility in Norderstedt with separate sections for male and female inmates and a 22-meter central tower. The complex holds roughly 250 spaces total, with the majority reserved for men and a smaller section for women.
The facility was established in 1922 and initially employed inmates for peat extraction in the surrounding area. A dedicated railway system was even built to transport the extracted materials.
The complex was designed to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, and its open layout without walls reflects a different approach to incarceration. Walking through the grounds, you notice how the architecture emphasizes treating inmates with dignity and preparing them for life outside.
The facility welcomes visitors, typically on Saturdays between 1 PM and 4 PM. It is advisable to check current visiting hours in advance, as they may change seasonally or due to facility operations.
The site houses a Hamburg Prison Museum featuring exhibitions about incarceration history, accessible to the public by appointment. This museum offers visitors a rare look at personal stories and how correctional practices have changed over time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
