Call for help shakes up – “This is a collapse of the domestic prison system”

“I have worked in a penitentiary for 18 years and confirm what my colleagues have said. The problem is widespread throughout Austria and for many years – because there is simply no understanding or simply not taken seriously by the Ministry of Justice, the Directorate General and the prison administration. The purpose of the penal system has long been unfulfilled,” said an officer who asked to remain anonymous for fear of legal ramifications.

“Disrespect and inappropriate behavior”
There are complaints from inmates when officials try to implement the prison handbook. “Then there is intimidation and arbitrariness, sometimes even complaints are made. Disrespectful and inappropriate behavior is a constant presence and reports of administrative violations usually go unpunished. Then it only says that it has been discussed with the detainee,” the officer continues. The aforementioned lack of personnel is also not seen. There is long-term absenteeism, partly due to burnout – months and even years.

“We employees can only report the grievances of the ombudsman service once a year,” emphasizes the prison guard.

“Product of wrong personnel policy”
Markus Abwerzger, the leader of the FP state party in Tyrol, speaks of a “collapse of the criminal justice system”. “The unbearable conditions are the product of wrong personnel management. In addition, the green-left Minister of Justice Alma Zadic argues for more rights for inmates than for the rights of prison staff.” He recalls the FPÖ’s demand that prison guards be assigned to the Ministry of Interior and nothing to the Ministry of Justice. “However, this demand was prevented by the ÖVP during the phase of the FPÖ’s government participation at the federal level,” Abwerzger said.

Immediate action required from politicians
For the politician in blue, one thing is certain: “More prison guards guarantee more safety for inmates and prison staff, so the job must also become more attractive.” He refers to the most recent report of the Office of the Ombudsman “Preventive Human Rights Control 2021″. “This report proves the unbearable conditions not only in the Innsbruck prison, but in all Austrian prisons and prisons, which are intolerable. Detainees must also have rights, which are not being respected due to the lack of staff. Therefore, immediate political action is needed to protect the inmates and prison staff,” he explains.

Another problem that many officials describe him is the fact that many (prison) interrogations already start at 9:00 AM. That is why the pressure on the staff is very high at this time. It would be good if – just like in Corona times – certain detention interrogations could take place via video conferences.

“Our worst fears were confirmed”
Selma Yildirim, spokeswoman for the SPÖ, also called for a staff offensive before something worse happens: “The blatant shortage of staff in the prison is no longer acceptable. The conditions in the detention centers seem to pose a huge threat to the safety of the staff. The SPÖ has been arguing for clear management concepts in prisons for years, the creation and better evaluation of new functions and structural improvements, because the officials are at the gum line. Our worst fears were confirmed.”

The red politician continues: “Many of the tasks specified by the legislator cannot be fulfilled at all due to the failing human resources policy of the federal government. The situation has been tense for years and the burden on workers is unreasonable, so there is a corresponding overtime. But as always with this government, people are always watching, investigating and watching, even though urgent action is needed, action is finally needed.”

“No comment”
On the other hand, the justice spokeswoman for the ÖVP, Michaela Steinacker, was silent when asked by “Krone”. She declined to comment on that.