The Investment and Preservation of the Old JVA Building in Münster: A Historical Landmark

The JVA in Münster moves into a new building. But the state of North Rhine-Westphalia continues to invest in the old prison. The reason is simple.

Münster – The prison (JVA) in Münster is moving into a new building. The new building in Wolbeck is scheduled to be occupied by 2027. However, the old JVA on Gartenstraße is of particular historical value. And although the building will probably soon no longer be used, the construction and real estate company North Rhine-Westphalia (BLB NRW) is still investing several million euros.

Prison in Münster is moving – the country is still investing millions in the old building

The old building of the JVA Münster is a listed building. In 2014, the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL) honored the JVA as Monument of the Month. It is the oldest surviving prison from the Prussian period. It was built between 1848 and 1851 according to plans by Carl Ferdinand Busse. Busse was an associate of the famous Prussian architect, urban planner and artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

LWL monument caretaker Dr. As early as 2014, Jost Schäfer stated that the JVA was “probably the most artistically important surviving architecture of the 19th century in Münster”. The prison takes up elements of Schinkel’s historicizing palace buildings and its design is reminiscent of Gothic buildings.

The old JVA in Münster is listed – the building should be particularly airy and monitorable

The architecture of the old JVA in Münster is also inspired by the newly designed prison buildings in London by the English architect Joshua Jebb. According to LWL experts, this explains the structure of the historic building, which consists of a central building with a tower and four arranged wings. This architecture, which was new at the time, was intended to facilitate easier surveillance and better hygiene (through light and fresh air).

The monument protection is also the reason why the BLB NRW invests in the old prison. The JVA on Gartenstraße has to be maintained, for example the roof coverings are renewed or joints and bricks on the facade that have become porous are replaced, as a spokeswoman for the BLB NRW explained to wa.de. This is to prevent water from entering the building and causing moisture damage. “The BLB NRW is obliged to carry out all work under monument protection law, they are not related to the prison operation,” said the spokeswoman.

Two million euros cost for the old Münster JVA? BLB NRW does not confirm figures

She did not reveal exactly how high the costs are. The costs would only be determined once the measures had been completed. Meanwhile they go Westphalian News of around two million euros. However, the BLB did not comment on this number either.

Meanwhile, the construction work on the new JVA in Münster-Wolbeck is going according to plan according to the BLB. The new building is expected to be completed in 2026. It is not yet certain when the first prisoners will move into the new building. Due to the complex safety technology, this point in time cannot be precisely predicted at the moment.

Until the new prison in Wolbeck is completed and occupied, the old listed building on Gartenstraße will continue to be used. It is unclear what will happen after that. If the old prison is no longer used for state purposes, it will then be sold.

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