Austria's ÖVP urges caution on justice minister's inmate release plan

The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) has voiced reservations about Justice Minister Anna Sporrer's proposal to release approximately 500 inmates prematurely. ÖVP Club Chairman Ernst Gödl cautioned against "hasty decisions," stating that convicted criminals, especially those involved in human smuggling or asylum-related offenses, should not profit from the justice system's current strain.

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Convicted criminals should not benefit from the system's overload.

Gödl stressed that releasing such individuals, whom he described as "people smugglers of the criminal smuggling mafia or criminal asylum seekers," would send a "fatal signal" to both foreigners seeking to enter Austria and those who disregard its laws. He called on the Justice Minister to provide concrete details of her plan.

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Showing leniency to such groups and possibly rewarding them with early release would be a fatal signal to all foreigners coming to Austria and also to all other people who do not adhere to our laws.

The plan aims to alleviate overcrowding in correctional facilities. Sporrer indicated that the inmates considered for early release would be those who have "proven themselves during periods of leave" from prison. However, individuals convicted of sexual offenses, terrorism, severe violent crimes, or violations of the prohibition law, as well as dangerous repeat offenders, would be excluded. The Ministry of Justice has not yet finalized the number 500, describing it as an estimate.

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The Justice Minister is called upon to concretize her plans in such a way that security continues to be guaranteed, relief for correctional officers is provided, and above all, the safety of the people in Austria is maintained.