Stein prison seeks staff to reopen workshops

Stein prison is short of staff to run its workshops and provide prisoners with work, ORF reports. The shortage leaves many prisoners spending their days in their cells and contributes to tensions inside the prison, its director says.

The high-security prison in Krems is Austria’s largest correctional facility. It has several security levels, from standard and court-ordered treatment units to high-security wings and lower-security outposts. Prisoners serve sentences of more than 18 months, including life terms. The longest-serving prisoner, a triple murderer, has been behind bars for 46 years.

Prison director Erich Huber-Günsthofer says conflicts between prisoners are becoming more frequent when they cannot work. Without paid work, prisoners also have less money to buy basic goods and other items. Austrian prisoners are generally required to work, but the prison says most do not experience it as an obligation.

Work in the prison kitchen is especially popular. It prepares 1,600 portions a day, and prisoners are paid for the work. The prison retains 75 percent of their wages as a contribution toward the costs of their incarceration. Some of the remainder is saved for later, while the rest can be spent in the prison shop.

Prisoners can also train in the on-site shoe-making workshop. About 30 people apply for each training opportunity and must pass tests in German and arithmetic, as well as demonstrate that they can understand what they read. Those accepted take part in an intensive 18-month programme to learn the trade.

Another workshop offers occupational therapy to help prisoners build routines and prepare for life outside prison, including a possible return to work. Prisoners there are currently making Christmas cribs, each of which takes about a week to complete. One prisoner said the work helped build confidence and provide stability.

The prison director says mental health problems among prisoners are increasing, with drug use contributing to some cases. The prison’s psychologist and doctor provide treatment. Psychiatrist Tamara Bruckner-Stöhr has worked full time at Stein since January 2025. She says prisoners value being able to attend appointments and discuss their concerns, even when they are not seeking medication.

In July 2026, a prisoner at Stein attacked and injured two officers.