Styrian excitement

169 “abnormal lawbreakers” are in care homes

(Bild: stock.adobe.com - Peter Atkins)

The number of mentally abnormal lawbreakers accommodated in normal care homes remains high! 169 people "with a forensic background" were in Styrian care homes in 2023. This was the result of an FPÖ inquiry to Styrian Health Minister Karlheinz Kornhäusl (ÖVP).

As early as 2021, the "Steirerkrone" reported on the increasing number of people "with a forensic background" accommodated in Styrian care homes. "In our view, it is unacceptable that mentally abnormal lawbreakers are still being housed next door to honest, elderly people in Styrian care homes," says FPÖ parliamentary group leader Mario Kunasek. At the request of his party, Styrian Health Minister Karlheinz Kornhäusl (ÖVP) has now compiled the latest figures.

Figures remain at a high level
169 mentally abnormal offenders were accommodated in Styrian care homes in 2023 - 63 of them in the district of Deutschlandsberg alone. Although the number has fallen slightly compared to 2022 (185), it remains at a high level. And only 19 of the people cared for in the previous year were older than 75.

FPÖ parliamentary party leader Mario Kunasek

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

"The fact is that the majority of these people are people without a corresponding care level, and many of them are even younger than 50. This group of people really has no place in an old people's home," says Kunasek.

"There is a need for independent care"
Karlheinz Kornhäusl, State Councillor for Health, is also aware of the problem: "The figures show that there is a need for independent care for mentally ill offenders. And this certainly doesn't just apply to Styria," he says, placing particular responsibility on Justice Minister Alma Zadic from the Green Party. "There needs to be a clear plan from the federal government. The Minister of Justice must examine how to deal with the increasing number of ageing offenders in the prison system. Perhaps it is necessary to expand the forensic centers to include care facilities. In any case, the status quo is more than unsatisfactory."