Head Karlau – Josef Mock: “I don’t want to trade places with any prisoner”

„krone“: How was your appointment in Karlau?
Josef Mock: Under the guidance of great respect. I was impressed by the dimensions and the atmosphere in the enormous cell house.

Only big boys are in the Karlau. Can you be unbiased there?
I’m not a judge. A judge judges, we try to carry them out and set a positive direction. Of course we sometimes fail, but that is not our fault, but some prisoners who have a very different idea of ​​detention and do not want to adapt.

What were your goals when you took office?
Many professional groups work here, such as prison guards, psychologists, social workers and vocational teachers. I wanted to promote collaboration to strengthen our goal of rehabilitation of detainees. This resulted in guidelines that were engraved on a metal plate for the Karlau. The highest principles are humanity, respect and professionalism. Half of the management team under my leadership were women.

Are there inmates who cannot be resocialised?
Unfortunately that happens. This is especially true for career criminals, murderers and brutal people, often from the red light district, who are used to using violent means to achieve their ends. Sometimes therapies no longer help. The same applies to some inmates with certain syndromes in prison. They only diminish their danger with age.

Often harsher penalties are required. Right?
In my opinion, the penalties are very appropriate for the violations. I don’t want to trade places with any prisoner, not even in a prison, however modern it may be. You are completely blocked in your freedom, the daily routine is meticulously planned. Imprisonment is an absolute loss of self-determination and sovereignty over one’s own life. I can only recommend anyone who does not believe it to spend a day here.

How does a prison deal with a pandemic?
That was a very big challenge. We’ve ramped up communication tremendously, introducing zoom conferences instead of the canceled visits, tests and vaccinations offered. I myself gave many speeches over the intercom to calm the prisoners. The main message was that we, the staff, are just as affected by this pandemic as the prisoners.

There were also two escape attempts in which holes were dug in the wall. Is it so easy to escape from Karlau?
I don’t really want to talk about the procedure (smiles). But I think it’s important that both escapees are caught within a short time. You were still in the asylum zone. But of course you go through anxious minutes as a director, at first you don’t know who has escaped and whether that person is armed and dangerous.

The open days were a crowd puller. What is the fascination with “harbours”?
The mysterious. You can’t see behind the walls, it lets your imagination run wild. The ideas range from the daily Wiener Schnitzel for the inmates to the iron balls on the legs.

Do you ever run into “ex-customers” on the street?
This happens quite often, most greet very friendly. I once came across a whole group on a walk and asked how they were doing and what they were doing. “Lieutenant Colonel,” someone said, “we have a factory meeting.” I laughed and gave them a twenty.

What was your most moving experience?
I went for a walk with a group of delinquent youths. When we reached the top, one of them started to cry, hugged me and said, “I’ve never been on a mountain, today is the first time. My father always beat me up.” That memory still touches me.