Stein prison

Two-time manslayer complains of bullying in prison

In 2016, an exasperated family man killed a retired couple in Leonding (Upper Austria) because he was almost constantly sekked by his neighbors. Behind bars, the man, who had been completely blameless until his crime, a double homicide, received strange special treatment, for example being placed with smokers as a strict non-smoker.

It was a double homicide in which only the perpetrator was pitied. In February 2016, a blameless family man (41 at the time) stabbed a married couple (she 72, he 74 years old) with an iron bar in Leonding after a long-standing neighborhood dispute. Both died in hospital.

Neighbors collected money for the trial
The couple had previously sekked the neighbor and his young family to death. With reports, complaints and insults. Before the trial, the other neighbors collected money for him. The mayor of a municipality in Wachau, where the slain couple had a second home, even said dryly in front of the TV camera: "We only feel sorry for the murderer."

High court increased the sentence by two years
The double manslayer was first given seven years, then nine years in prison by the Linz High Court. He first served his sentence in Garsten prison. Then the "exemplary prisoner", according to his lawyer Andreas Mauhart, was transferred to Linz in a completely unusual night and fog operation and then to the underground prison wing, where there was no relief.

Strict non-smoker was sent to nicotine addicts
Six months later, the double-deadbeat was transferred again, this time to the "heavy boys" in Stein prison (Lower Austria). And there began - according to his mother and defense lawyer Mauhart in unison - "a path of suffering". First, the strict non-smoker was transferred to a shared cell with nothing but smokers, then, after a complaint, to a hepatitis patient.

Charge of resistance
"The patient shaved where the dishes were washed. No wonder my client wanted to get out of there," says Mauhart. In the end, the convict was sent to a new cell, but again to a chain smoker. When he refused and said that force would have to be used to get him in there, a prison guard filed a complaint for resisting arrest. The first day of the trial was adjourned for the examination of a witness. "The whole thing is ridiculous," said defense lawyer Mauhart.

"My client is 1.70 meters tall, the prison guard is two meters tall. If a charge like this goes through, my client will be lying on the floor every week and will be charged.

Verteidiger Andreas Mauhart

Second round on Friday
Incidentally, the second prison guard involved stated during the proceedings that he had not noticed anything of the sort, according to Mauhart. The second round will take place on Friday at Krems Regional Court. The manslayer should actually be released in August.

The Stein prison does not want to give any personal information, but assures that the various sensitivities of the prisoners - such as nationality, language or religion - are always taken into account when accommodating them.