Christmas amnesty

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Christmas amnesty (Weihnachtsamnestie) or Grace (Gnadenerweis) is when some prisoners in Germany and Austria can be released early before Christmas to help them reintegrate into society. Since a 2006 reform, it is handled by each state (Länder), so they decide if and how to use it. Bavaria does not offer Christmas amnesty, arguing it would be unfair to other prisoners.

Only prisoners whose sentence would end between mid-November and the first week of January can be released early. It usually applies to people serving substitute custodial sentences for unpaid fines. Those who committed serious crimes (such as drugs, violence, or sexual offenses) or who would serve a long sentence, or who have shown negative behavior in prison, are typically excluded. The prisoner must agree to the release, and they must have accommodation and living costs arranged.

The idea is to help prisoners finish official appointments (like the unemployment office) and access support services before the holidays. Prisoners do not always want to be released early. In 2019, 69 of 963 prisoners released early declined. In 2021, 790 prisoners were released early in Germany. Some places, like the USA, conduct one-time Christmas amnesties.