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“Four, three, two, one!”
Starting signal for the “fifth season”: In the Cologne youth correctional facility in the Ossendorf district, the inmates have already celebrated carnival. How does it feel to be behind bars?
Derya, prison inmate: »There's more atmosphere here. Outside you tend to be in a small group. Here we are together and having fun.«
Katarina, prison inmate: »Something is missing, the alcohol of course. But we’re in a good mood.”
For a few hours, the imprisoned women are allowed to dance, sing and cheer for the band on stage. Supported by the official Cologne Carnival Organizing Committee.
Christoph Kuckelkorn, Carnival Committee President: “Our aim is to give people two or three hours of impartiality, especially in this situation. To get out of everyday life in prison and really live life. And you can see here what triggers it.”
The prison guards organize such events in the prison every year. In order to avoid trouble, the right selection of participants is crucial.
Frank Prösdorf, leisure officer for the Cologne prison: “We do a lot of concerts here, so nothing has ever happened. But of course you always have to keep safety in mind. Of course they are criminals.”
"You haven't seen anything like this in a long time, so beautiful, so beautiful!"