FACTS & FIGURES
In Austria, the recidivism rate is consistently at around 31%
35% of incarcerated people in Austrian prison facilities are affected by functional illiteracy
44% of incarcerated people who are willing to work cannot be employed in prisons
The suicide rate for incarcerated people is 13.6 times higher than the suicide rate in the Austrian general population
WHY
RICHTUNGSWECHSEL?
The current situation needs a Change of Direction!
Incarcerated people often reoffend after their release, and many are convicted again. We believe that repeat convictions are preventable.
We want to tackle this challenge because behind every repeat conviction is a crime that not only burdens individuals, our society, and the justice system, but also represents wasted potential.
The costs of inadequate rehabilitation cannot solely be quantified financially. The more recidivism occurs, the more people become victims of criminal acts, affecting both victims’ families and the families of perpetrators significantly. Especially children growing up while their parents are incarcerated bear a heavy burden. The time spent in prison facilities also affects the perpetrators themselves:
- Formerly incarcerated individuals face greater challenges in finding employment and housing after release;
- Incarcerated individuals are more vulnerable to suicide and self-harm than the general population;
The professional relationships that incarcerated individuals build with prison officers are crucial for preventing suicide and self-harm attempts and significantly contribute to their well-being and rehabilitation as well as a positive prison environment.
In Austrian prisons, individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences serve their sentences. Our justice system is as heterogeneous as our society.
It is a major concern of Richtungswechsel to reflect and promote this diversity within the staff working inside prisons. We aim to support individuals on their path to joining the prison service who embody the values of cultural diversity and equal treatment for all, and who can make a difference in the prison environment with their own diverse experiences. Together, we facilitate new perspectives, productive interactions, and the opportunity to collectively change direction.
