Leonard Ihßen

Leonard Ihßen works to free individuals incarcerated for fare evasion (Schwarzfahren) in Germany. Fare evasion is currently a criminal offense under Paragraph 265a, and those unable to pay resulting fines may face imprisonment. Ihßen's work involves using a dedicated budget to pay the fines of these individuals, effectively buying them out of jail. He and his team typically transfer the required amounts to the accounts of correctional facilities. Ihßen's actions are newsworthy because of the ongoing debate surrounding the criminalization of fare evasion. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig and others are advocating for decriminalization, citing the disproportionate impact on low-income individuals and the financial burden on the state. Ihßen's work highlights the practical consequences of the current law and contributes to the broader discussion about alternative approaches to addressing fare evasion.