In today’s edition of a Styrian daily newspaper there is an article about the tragic deaths of inmates in Graz prisons. Among other things, the article quotes the demand of the state governor Christopher Drexler (ÖVP) that the Green Justice Minister Alma Zadic to ensure better staffing. The FPÖ has also announced a parliamentary inquiry to the minister.
Attached is a statement from KPÖ municipal council Horst Alichimself a prison guard in the JA Graz Jakomini:
“It is of course welcome that politicians are finally realising that action is needed. Unfortunately, this is only happening again after truly tragic events shortly before several elections. The shortage of staff in prisons did not arise overnight, but was foreseeable long before Alma Zadić became Minister of Justice. In the past, the ÖVP was mainly responsible for the department, but nothing ever improved. A care agency was set up a few years ago to make staff costs look better – but this did not save overall costs. In addition, no permanent positions were filled or even new ones created. This is now taking its toll in a tragic way. What I really want as a prison guard is a genuine interest in our situation in prisons and finally real solutions, instead of party-political calculations and empty election campaign phrases.”
