Aufschluss. A look inside German prisons

Photographs by Michael Belhadi and Michel Ptasinski

Michael Belhadi and Michel Ptasinski captured the atmosphere of German prisons in photographs – amongst others in Berlin-Moabit, Düsseldorf, Geldern and Stuttgart-Stammheim. These prisons were founded between the 18th and 21st centuries. The transformation from penitentiary to independent prison architecture becomes clear and tangible in this synopsis. At the same time, the buildings reflect the changing understanding of atonement and the execution of sentences, and bear witness to undignified conditions for inmates or the desire to reintegrate prisoners into society. The view behind high prison walls removes bias, raises awareness of responsibility in the design of the facilities and makes an important contribution to the sociological and architectural-historical discussion.

The works of the two photographers are now being presented at Galerie Johannisthal in Berlin.

Galerie Johannisthal
Sterndamm 102
12487 Berlin

More information about the exhibition.

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More on the book Aufschluss can be found here.