Prisoners freely exchange ideas with their friends through a residential building right next to Josefstadt Prison in Vienna. The residents are scared and demand help. But instead of working together to find solutions, authorities are taking the security problem lightly.
The building at Wickenburggasse 14 is a beautiful house in Wilhelminian style with stucco work and many bay windows. But it is directly adjacent to the Josefstadt prison and that causes problems for the residents.
It is possible to communicate with the prisoners in the opposite cells through the stairwell windows, which cannot be completely closed, and through a barred hole at the basement exit. “Uninvited visitors” do this regularly. “There are often young men there, some of us have already been harassed and threatened by them,” says a frightened resident.
It is also said that damage was caused to the home. Since the building houses a teaching institute and a doctor’s office, it is not difficult for strangers to gain access to the adjacent prison building. And the possibility of prisoners being able to talk freely with friends seems to be spreading through social media.
This can become a security problem if, for example, escape information is exchanged. Complaints from the household to the district and the prison did not bring any improvement. The police come when you call, but usually have nothing to do with it.
Neighbors want structural separation
The neighbors demand structural measures (wall, cladding, wall) to stop the activity. The Ministry of Justice rejects the ‘Krone’ request: “Unfortunately, security-related construction measures may not be implemented by the institution, as the security of the building is the responsibility of the responsible real estate management,” the ministry says. However, prison guards would close the cell windows if they became aware of ‘unauthorized traffic’.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
