The Federal Ministry of Justice announced on Monday that it intends to reform penalty pursuit compensation while simultaneously boosting the compensation provided to individuals who have been unjustly detained.
Under the proposed changes, those affected would receive €100 per day of imprisonment, an increase from the current rate of €75. Furthermore, if the detention period exceeds six months, the daily amount is set to rise further to €150. Beyond these specific financial adjustments, the new draft law outlines several other improvements for claimants, including allowing them to file their claims for a significantly longer duration than previously possible.
Federal Minister of Justice, Stefanie Hubig (SPD), emphasized the need to correct flaws within the legal system and ensure that those detained without cause are adequately compensated. She stated that the compensation rates had not been updated for many years, nor should unjustly detained persons be required to endure deductions for ‘cost and lodging.’ According to Hubig, these reforms are designed to enhance the rehabilitation process for unjustly detained individuals and thereby strengthen public trust in a legal system “that recognizes and corrects its own errors.”
The draft legislation was released on Monday, circulated to the states and various associations, and posted on the Federal Ministry of Justice website. The next procedural step involves a public consultation period, which will run until August 14, 2026.
