After abuse

Positive expert reports: Prisoner fights for release

The Graz-Karlau prison

(Bild: Richard Heinzt)

Discussions about the release of offenders from prison are always a hot topic. In addition to incest perpetrator Josef Fritzl, an abuse offender in Styria is also fighting for his release from detention.

The conditional release of incest perpetrator Josef Fritzl from prison is currently the subject of intense debate. The well-known expert Adelheid Kastner supports this with her expert opinion - his dementia overlays his mental abnormality. He is therefore no longer dangerous, which makes it possible for him to be transferred to a normal prison and therefore also to be placed in a nursing home. A three-judge panel agreed, but the Higher Regional Court would like to obtain further expert opinions before making a decision.

My client's rights are being violated by inaction and incomprehensible delays.

Der Grazer Anwalt Christian Fauland

Bild: Heinz Weeber

In Styria, too, there is currently an uproar about a 37-year-old Styrian in detention. He was sentenced as a sex offender to imprisonment and committal. He has served the prison sentence for the terrible crime, but is now stuck in a detention center. Since 2022, however, several expert reports have certified that he is no longer dangerous. According to his lawyer Christian Fauland, nothing stands in the way of his release and his old employer would welcome him with open arms. His client is also prepared to undergo extensive therapy outside the prison walls, has gained full insight and has dealt intensively with his crime. Only the court and the Karlau prison were not doing anything. What's more, they ignore all applications and undermine the competence of the experts. 

Both the prison and the court referred to data protection when asked by Krone. Should his client's condition deteriorate again, this would be solely due to the failure of the system.