Christmas amnesty (German: Weihnachtsamnestie) or Grace (German: Gnadenerweis) is the process of early amnesty of prisoners and their deeds in the run-up to 24 December (Christmas) in Germany and Austria.
[2] A reform of the system of federalism in 2006 made Christmas amnesty a matter for the states (German: Länder).
Usually prisoners with substitute custodial sentences benefit from this regulation, these are imposed on people who have not paid their fines.
Excluded are those who have committed serious offences such as narcotics, violent or sexual offences, who have not attracted any negative attention in prison, or have to serve a long prison sentence.
The early releasement allows prisoners to finish officials visits (e.g. unemployment office) early before the national holidays or to visit support services and counselling centres.