Roman Guski, M.A.
Anne Frank Center, Berlin
Democracy can hardly be experienced in prison: Everyday life in prison is strictly regulated and determined by others. Inmates have little access to social resources and often come from difficult social backgrounds. Opportunities for prisoners to get political education are rare. At the same time, prisons are not an apolitical space. Sometimes there is talk of “recruitment centers” for right-wing extremists and Islamists, which is followed by the call for political education. Learning democracy in a less democratic place – how is that possible?
The Anne Frank Center shows traveling exhibitions in prisons nationwide and motivates inmates to get involved against anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination. Together with the Merseburg University of Applied Sciences and the Federal Agency for Civic Education, the Anne Frank Center has launched the pilot study “Political Education in Prisons – Offers, Needs and Vacancies”. With the support of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the project team is currently researching how to deal with anti-Semitism in prisons and training and networking experts from science, education and the judiciary.
Roman Guski studied political science, sociology and modern European history at the University of Rostock. He has been working at the Anne Frank Center in Berlin since 2017 and manages the educational projects in prisons. Previously, he worked for various foundations, memorial sites and museums in the field of historical and political education.
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