HG Winterthur

Halbgefangenschaft Winterthur (HG Winterthur) is a semi-detention facility located in the city of Winterthur, in the canton of Zürich. Its mission is to enable residents to maintain their professional, educational, and social environments while serving their sentence. The facility functions according to the semi-detention concept, which allows residents to work, study, or train during the day while spending their nights and leisure time within the institution.

SMALL-SCALE

HG Winterthur has a total capacity of twenty-five residents, both men and women. The facility previously accommodated thirty-three, but this number was reduced to provide each resident with an individual room. Women are accommodated in a separate area in three rooms with a private entrance, their own lounge where smoking is permitted, and a shared bathroom.

SMALL-scale

HG Winterthur has a total capacity of twenty-five residents, both men and women. The facility previously accommodated thirty-three, but this number was reduced to provide each resident with an individual room. Women are accommodated in a separate area in three rooms with a private entrance, their own lounge where smoking is permitted, and a shared bathroom.

HG Winterthur is a:

Open detention facility

for:

25 PEOPLE,
Mixed-gender

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

HG Winterthur is a:

Open detention facility

for:

25 PEOPLE,
Mixed-gender

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

HG Winterthur is a:

Open detention facility

for:

25 PEOPLE,
Mixed-gender

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

DIFFERENTIATION

HG Winterthur accommodates residents under several regimes, both adult men and women. Young adults may also be accepted when a juvenile sentence extends beyond their eighteenth birthday, although the differing needs of these groups can make management more complex.

Each resident follows an individual execution plan (Vollzugsplan), developed by staff and approved by the referring authority. Coordination with probation officers (Bewährungshilfe) and cantonal justice services ensures compliance with SCEPP standards. All residents are required to engage in a meaningful activity, such as employment, training, or participation in an unemployment programme. There is no formal programme of group activities; however, residents are encouraged to take initiative. For example, a former resident recently organised a first-aid workshop for others.

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATION

Residents stay socially connected through employment, education, family visits, and routine outings such as shopping or medical appointments. External professionals — including probation officers, social workers, and therapists — visit regularly for meetings and follow-up. Partnerships with local organisations support work placements, healthcare access, and therapeutic services. To ensure a more comfortable environment, the director encourages that visits involving children take place at the neighbouring retirement home rather than inside the facility. This practice promotes a more natural and less restrictive setting for family contact.

Differentiation

HG Winterthur accommodates residents under several regimes, both adult men and women. Young adults may also be accepted when a juvenile sentence extends beyond their eighteenth birthday, although the differing needs of these groups can make management more complex.

Each resident follows an individual execution plan (Vollzugsplan), developed by staff and approved by the referring authority. Coordination with probation officers (Bewährungshilfe) and cantonal justice services ensures compliance with SCEPP standards. All residents are required to engage in a meaningful activity, such as employment, training, or participation in an unemployment programme. There is no formal programme of group activities; however, residents are encouraged to take initiative. For example, a former resident recently organised a first-aid workshop for others.

Community-integration

Residents stay socially connected through employment, education, family visits, and routine outings such as shopping or medical appointments. External professionals — including probation officers, social workers, and therapists — visit regularly for meetings and follow-up. Partnerships with local organisations support work placements, healthcare access, and therapeutic services. To ensure a more comfortable environment, the director encourages that visits involving children take place at the neighbouring retirement home rather than inside the facility. This practice promotes a more natural and less restrictive setting for family contact.