Parliament in Europe Approves Resolution on EU Situation
Unleashing the New Wave of Justice Reform
Are you ready for some cracking changes in the Austrian justice system? Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer dropped a bombshell today in his budget speech, revealing some essential areas where savings need to be made. Hypey-daze, the details were still being refined late into the night by the coalition.
Our spies in the negotiations have uncovered a monumental plan to revamp the penal system. It's not the first time governments have dabbled in this, but will this attempt be successful where others have faltered?
Brace Yourself for Longer Ankle Monitors: Expansion in Motion## From 12 to 24 months
Currently, prisoners with a maximum of 12 months left to serve can apply for a slice of their time under house arrest with an ankle monitor, provided they maintain a steady job. The new plan aims to expand this sentence length to a whopping 24 months.
If approved, the convicted individuals will be informed about this option at the time of sentencing. If they apply on time, their sentence will commence only after a decision has been made. As of now, a convicted person must begin serving their sentence no later than four weeks after receiving the written order. Delayed starts are only possible for serious personal or health-related reasons.
However, not every prisoner will be granted the luxury of serving time with an ankle monitor. Our birdies in the negotiations have leaked that serious violent and sexual offenses (such as rape, severe cases of continued violence) and terrorist offenses will be excluded from the expansion.
The reform will also lay the groundwork for the involvement of social workers from the Neustart association in the decision-making process on whether the conditions for electronic house arrest are met. The final decision will be made by the respective prison court on a case-by-case basis.
Justice: Austerity Measures Unacceptable Despite High Revenues## Budgeting for Enforcement: 801 Million
The expansion of the ankle monitor has been discussed for eons; chiefly as a measure to ease overcrowded prisons and alleviate the justice budget. Last year, a whopping 801 million euros were dished out on the penal system and probation. That amounts to roughly a third of the total justice budget of 2.32 billion euros.
One day in prison sets the state back around 160 euros, as a 2021 parliamentary inquiry revealed. On top of this, there are additional health care costs: Prisoners are not insured, and the state pays the hefty private rates for medical visits. In 2023, these expenses amounted to over 100 million euros, according to the budget.
A convicted person residing at home with an ankle monitor is responsible for their own housing and charged around 22 euros per day for the device.
More Conditional Releases: The Future Looks Promising
Expanding the ankle monitor will also necessitate increased resources for probation services and technical capabilities. Experts estimate that after the reform, around 150 additional ankle monitor wearers (currently 385) will materialize, leading to expected annual savings of approximately one million euros.
Additionally, expanded efforts in the area of conditional releases could also generate further cost-saving effects. In the future, an expert panel with lay judges will determine whether there are individual grounds that argue against conditional releases; currently, this can be accomplished with the mere mention of "general preventive reasons."
The Austrian Prison Landscape Today
There are currently 9,915 prisoners in Austrian detention (as of May 1, 2025), with 1,809 in pretrial detention and 1,534 in custodial measures. Of the 6,218 convicted prisoners, 385 are under electronic house arrest - meaning they serve the remainder of their sentence at home with an ankle bracelet and maintain their employment.
A daily cost of 22 euros must be covered by an inmate for the ankle bracelet. Strict alcohol bans and other court-imposed conditions also apply. Each day, the state splurges 160 euros on a prisoner, plus the costs for medical visits.
The government projects a saving of 1 million euros per year with the expanded ankle bracelet from 12 to 24 months, and more conditional releases are expected to bring additional cost-saving effects.
Security Measures: A Step Forward in Protecting Staff
The package also includes measures designed to fortify justice staff, in response to demands from union representatives.
For instance, a total ban on mobile phones within justice facilities unless explicitly approved for official or personal use has been proposed. The rationale behind this is that mobile phones are frequently smuggled into prisons. The proposed law aims to create the opportunity for mobile phone jammers and equipment that can suppress mobile phone frequencies.
Furthermore, legal regulations for "body cams" will soon be created. These cameras worn on the chest record official acts and were recently rolled out nationwide for the police.
Lastly, justice guards will be authorized to carry tasers, telescopic batons, and pepper spray in the future. The list of service weapons will henceforth be expanded accordingly, according to our sources. The package will now undergo a review as a budget-related law.
- The science of justice reform is delving into the medical-conditions surrounding the finance of budgeting for enforcement, focusing on the expansion of ankle monitors for prisoners.
- The new wave of justice reform includes the medical-condition of extending ankle monitor sentences from 12 to 24 months, but violent and sexual offenses, as well as terrorist offenses, will remain excluded.
- In the business of justice reform, the expansion of ankle monitors could lead to potential savings of one million euros annually due to increased conditional releases.
- The general-news of politics in Austria includes the crime-and-justice topic of security measures being strengthened for justice staff, featuring the implementation of body cams, phone bans, and the approval of tasers, telescopic batons, and pepper spray.
