Berlin Introduces New Spaces to Combat Suicides in Prison - Berlin prisons launch suicide prevention rooms after five deaths in 2025
Berlin’s prisons are introducing new measures to prevent inmate suicides after five deaths this year alone. The latest step includes a specialised room in Moabit Prison designed for inmates in acute suicidal crises. Authorities have also announced plans to expand similar facilities across the city’s closed-regime prisons.
The newly built suicide prevention room in Moabit cost €340,000. Unlike previous arrangements, where at-risk inmates were kept in sparse, monitored cells, this space provides a safer and more dignified environment. Furnishings have been carefully chosen to minimise risks while ensuring comfort.
Five inmates have died by suicide in Berlin’s prisons so far in 2025, matching the total number recorded for the entire previous year. With 3,524 inmates currently detained, officials have highlighted the urgent need for intervention. Studies show that suicide rates among prisoners remain far higher than in the general population.
Beyond physical changes, the prison system is rolling out regular risk assessments and enhanced staff training. These programmes aim to help employees recognise warning signs and respond effectively. Tegel Prison will be the next facility to receive a dedicated suicide prevention room, with further expansions planned across all high-security sites.
The new measures come as part of a broader effort to address mental health risks in Berlin’s prisons. By combining safer environments with improved staff training, authorities hope to reduce the number of self-inflicted deaths. The initiative reflects growing recognition of the need for targeted support within correctional facilities.
