Hamburg: Serving fines again – hundreds at risk!

Hamburg: Serving fines again – hundreds at risk!

In Hamburg, since June 1, 2025, fines have been the order of the day again. This is reported by NDR and thus gives new impetus to the debate about the substitute prison sentence (EFS). Before this date, alternative prison sentences were suspended due to overcrowded prisons. A review shows that in November 2024, 517 people were freed from sentences and another 27 convicts received a reprieve of six months.

The return to enforcement of the EFS will now be carried out gradually and with priority by the public prosecutor's office. The Senate is optimistic that a larger number of those affected will be willing to pay their fines in order to avoid going to prison. In this context, the innovative “Day-by-Day Program” is also mentioned, which enables those affected to avert their alternative prison sentence through community service.

Community service as an alternative

The possibility of conversion is not new, but it is now increasingly being brought into focus. According to information from the Hamburg public prosecutor's office Convicts can avoid imprisonment by doing unpaid, community service work. The conversion standard is that one day of imprisonment can be compensated for with five hours of community service, or in hardship cases even with just three hours.

Those affected have the opportunity to do their work in municipal or non-profit institutions. Previous professional knowledge is advantageous, but not a requirement for placement. However, it is important that interested parties contact the responsible placement office within a week. The Community Work Department in Hamburg is available at (040) 428 11 – 2400.

Challenges and social discussion

The return to enforcing fines is described as “long overdue” by politicians such as Richard Seelmaecker, the CDU’s legal policy spokesman. This topic was also hotly debated during the national election campaign and met with a mixed response from the population. In fact, hundreds of people in Hamburg have to serve prison sentences every year simply because they cannot pay their fines.

The issue of substitute imprisonment is controversial. While the EFS is seen as a necessary tool to enforce fines, it also raises questions about fairness and effectiveness. According to an analysis Wikipedia Since the 1970s, over 80% of all penalties in Germany have been fines. In the event of irrecoverable fines, the EFS is enforced, and the discussion about alternatives to the EFS continues in the political landscape.

The reform, which has been in effect since February 2024, has already taken a step towards reducing the number of days in prison, but the fundamental problem with the EFS still remains. Imprisonment can only be avoided if you are willing to pay or do community service. However, for many this is a real challenge.