Mast visits prison (Swiss Press Text 2011, by Matthias Mast) - Swiss Press Award

Bernerbär

Matthias Mast

Located in the heart of Bern, a three-minute walk from the train station and close to the shopping and pedestrian zone, is the Bern Regional Prison for pre-trial detainees and those in deportation detention. Famous personalities have been guests, some for months and even years: Adnan Kashoggi, Werner K. Rey, the Tinners, and others. For the Bernerbär Advent series, Matthias Mast explored this other world, unknown to most readers, at the Gitterblick Hotel. For several days, Mast went in and out, sat alone in a cell for hours, spoke with both pre-trial detainees and their counselors, and described everyday life in the prison in general, and during the Christmas season in particular, in a four-part series titled "Mast Visits Prison," from December 7 to 21, 2010.