Haeftling means “prisoner,” so this fashion brand does not hide the fact that it is handcrafted by inmates. It is the world’s first prison clothing brand, featuring a collection of clothing handcrafted by inmates throughout Germany.
The idea for this unconventional project originated in Berlin’s Tegel prison, where clothing has been manufactured for more than 100 years by convicts for their own use. Initially hesitant to market these clothes to a wider market, businessman Stephan Bohle pushed the line forward in 2003 and now inmates make it difficult to pay for and produce clothes for the outside world from Australia to Japan.
What is available from Haeftling
Much more fashionable than the neon orange prison stripes, the Haeftling clothing collection ranges from jeans and jackets to shoes, skirts and even underwear. All products adopt a minimalist aesthetic and a timeless design with a sturdy yet elegant touch.
In addition to its clothing line, Haeftling also sells household items such as leather briefcases and bedding, as well as startups to produce food products. The beloved German brandy specialty is included in the Haeftling brandy set consisting of three premium spirits. German prisoners do everything by hand: from growing and harvesting the fruits and herbs to distilling them.
Haeftling – Doing Good
When opening your website, visitors are greeted with the message “Be good, do good.” This is a message the company takes seriously as a percentage of revenue returns to prisons in the form of prison training programs and is offered to the inmates themselves. Haeftling also supports organizations that campaign internationally to improve prison conditions and defend the rights of political prisoners.
Haeftling stores in Germany
Haeftling in Berlin
Address: Rosa-Luxemburg Strasse 25, 10178 Berlin
Telephone: +49 30 246 307 10
Opening hours : Monday to Friday from noon to 8 pm; Sat 11 am – 8 pm
Haeftling in Hamburg
Address: Markstrasse 136, 20357 Hamburg
Telephone: +49 40 401 854 19
Hours: Monday to Friday from noon to 7 pm; Sat 10 am – 6 pm
Visit the Haeftling Online Store (in English and German) for special offers, online ordering and more.
UPDATE 2016
The website appears to be out of date and at least the Berlin store is permanently closed. It seems that while the inmates are still stalling time, they are not using it to make fashion items.
