Spandau Prison

Spandau Prison was a purpose-built prison situated in the borough of Spandau in western Berlin, constructed in 1876. The prison was near, though not part of, the ancient Spandau Citadel fortress.

Related Topics:
Prison - Borough - Spandau - Berlin - 1876 - Spandau Citadel

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After World War II it was operated by the Four-Power Authorities to house the Nazi war criminals that had been sentenced to imprisonment at the Nuremberg Trials. Only seven prisoners were finally imprisoned there: Rudolf Hess, Walther Funk, and Erich Raeder with life sentences, Albert Speer and Baldur von Schirach serving 20 year terms each, Konstantin von Neurath with 15, and Karl Dönitz being sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. Of the seven only four fully served out their sentences, with the remaining three, Neurath, Raeder, and Funk, having been released partway into their sentences due to ill health in 1954, 1955, and 1957 respectively.

Related Topics:
World War II - Four-Power Authorities - Nazi - War criminals - Nuremberg Trials - Rudolf Hess - Walther Funk - Erich Raeder - Life sentence - Albert Speer - Baldur von Schirach - Konstantin von Neurath - Karl Dönitz - 1954 - 1955 - 1957

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Of note, Spandau was one of only two Four-Power organizations to exist during the Cold War; the other being the Berlin Air Safety Center. The four occupying powers of Berlin would alternate control of the prison on a monthly basis, each having the responsibility for a total of three months out of the year. Control of the prison could be determined by observing the Four-Power flags that flew at the Allied Control Authority building. They too rotated monthly, right to left. The nationality flag furthest to the left had control of Spandau Prison and its infamous inhabitants for that month.

Related Topics:
Cold War - Berlin Air Safety Center - Flag - Allied Control Authority

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