When Michael Kunz (name changed) was released from prison at the end of January 2014, he was left with nothing.

"I was homeless, nobody was there, I was really down," says the 34-year-old man.

He broke off his training shortly before the end, his girlfriend at the time had split up, and the apartment was gone.

He goes to the relief service for released prisoners in Frankfurt - and receives support.

Today Kunz is married and has a good job.

“They are the classics that many people miss the moment they stand in front of the prison gate,” says Ralf Perst, managing director of the Relief Society in Frankfurt.

"Many have no apartment, no work and no debts." Social contacts were often lost during imprisonment because friends and relatives withdrew, says Pretz.

There are also drug and alcohol problems.

But how should it go on in a new life in freedom?

When it comes to this question, the health, social and judicial systems in Hesse should be more closely intertwined, demands Pretz.

There are often positive examples regionally, where, for example, the health insurance company AOK automatically takes over the health insurance of released prisoners who come from the town.

"In Hesse, for example, it is relatively difficult to submit an application to the job center for social benefits before you are released from prison," criticizes Pretz.

This could lead to the payment of the money being delayed.

In the opinion of the advisor, a rehabilitation law, as has already been passed in other federal states, could help in the transition from imprisonment to freedom.

Withdrawal from psychiatric drugs can be dangerous

In this way, important stakes could possibly be set better and living space and workplaces organized at an early stage, says Pretz.

Many people who were imprisoned for petty crime showed psychological abnormalities, such as a basic depressive structure.

"Here, too, the release from prison poses problems, as the supply of medication is sometimes interrupted," the expert points out.

While the prison doctor is responsible for everything in the prison, it may be the family doctor and health insurance in front of the gate - but these often do not exist (anymore).

With psychotropic drugs in particular, that would be a big problem if the drugs were discontinued overnight.

In the counseling center, he and his colleagues worked with “constructive pressure,” as Pretz says.

Of course, the counselors would have to cope with setbacks - for example if a client relapses and has to go back to prison.

"Our work owes the attempt, not the success," emphasizes Pretz.

"We can be satisfied when we have tried everything."

Rehabilitation is regulated by law

According to the Ministry of Justice in Wiesbaden, the preparation for release from prison and rehabilitation are regulated in the Hessian enforcement laws.

Since 2008, the state has regulated the transition between prison and life in freedom for every prisoner who is placed under probation and / or management supervision after release.

The ministry said that the prison social service and probation service are also involved.

All other prisoners who are released without supervision or who are not placed under the state probation service would be cared for by the free criminal assistance, with whom the penal institutions have agreed to cooperate.

In his own words, the former prisoner Kunz began his criminal career at an early age - he was almost 16 years old when he was caught with a souped-up moped and reported.

Many years followed during which he repeatedly came into conflict with the law.

He had "the wrong friends", started smoking weed early and made his living with drug trafficking.

Kunz is regularly on trial, the charge is mostly assault.

The view goes forward

After his prison sentence, he was warmly welcomed in the counseling center in 2014, "it was totally unbureaucratic," he reports. He got a few euros for food and soon the keys to an apartment. "I was supported in all matters by the released prisoner service, there was always an open ear," he says. But the consultants also wanted to see their clients making progress. “I knew that at some point I would get the curve, but I didn't think it would be so nice,” says Kunz. "And the relief for released prisoners has made a major contribution to this."

Professionally, he has worked his way up to this day, says the 34-year-old ex-prisoner. From the 450 euro jobber, he has now made it to a managerial position in sales, paying off all his debts. In between, Kunz had to cope with a setback when in 2017 - just a few weeks after his wedding - he was imprisoned again for two years for a long-ago crime.

This time, however, the social conditions are more favorable - he has the support of his wife and parents-in-law. He often receives visitors and a letter every day. “My good life didn't end with this sentence,” he says. “I knew that as soon as I walked through the prison gate, my normal life would go on.” In fact, Kunz succeeds in gaining a foothold in a new company. The 34-year-old man looks ahead: he and his wife have just bought an apartment.