After Serving Time, Hotel Staff to Serve Guests

Paying money to get out of jail is not unheard of. But soon people are expected to pay to stay in a women's prison in Munich.

The Neudeck jail is to be turned into a four-star hotel, with former inmates among the staff, as part of a self-financing project under which convicted juveniles will be offered vocational training to help them into long-term jobs in the hotel and catering industry.

Sponsored by Biss, the distributors of Germany's oldest street newspaper, the prison's €13m (£11.5m) transformation is expected to be completed by 2011.

"Teenagers and young people who have only otherwise known violence, crime, drugs and a lack of orientation will be given high-class training here," said Hildegard Denninger, Biss's managing director.

She hopes the project will break even within a few years. About 14 staff, including social workers, will train up to 15 youngsters a year. Guests will be able to enjoy room rates considerably below the normal market level.

Most of Neudeck's current inmates are to be moved to a more modern establishment. Denniger said hardened criminals would not be taking part in the scheme. "No guest needs to be scared of staying here," she said.

Bavaria has given money towards the purchase of the building but it remains to be seen how the people of Munich, one of Germany's richest and most class-conscious cities, will react to the plan.