Head of the probation service:

“Back then, we were seen as accomplices to the prisoners”

Johannes Bernegger retires after 33 years in the probation service.

(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

Head of the probation service Johannes Bernegger takes positive stock shortly before his departure. The outgoing head of "Neustart" knows that his employees prevent countless relapses by offenders.

Revenge has no place in court, says Johannes Bernegger about sentences that some people find too lenient. "The aim is to prevent an offender from reoffending. That's where the probation officers come in," explains the outgoing head of "Neustart", an association specializing in rehabilitation and prevention.

After 33 years in the probation service, the lawyer draws a positive balance. "When I started, we were considered accomplices of the prisoners," he laughs during a visit to "Krone" in Salzburg-Schallmoos. Today, judges and public prosecutors even consult with the probation officers.

Protection for civil society
The questions are: "What brought the offender this far? How can a relapse be avoided?" Bernegger: "It's about protecting civil society and sometimes also about protecting the offenders from themselves."

If offenders are only 12 or 13 years old, all authorities seem to have their hands tied. According to Bernegger, the options available to the youth welfare offices are not enough. "For very serious cases, we would need a special facility with compulsory residence."

70 percent remain relapse-free after care
Some over-14s already have a criminal career behind them. According to Bernegger, prevention can therefore not be valued highly enough. After all, if offenders end up in prison, the prospects of recovery become bleaker. "After a year in prison, criminals usually lose their home and job," says the lawyer. It is then very difficult to avoid reoffending after prison.

Of the approximately 1,100 clients most recently, 60 percent were on probation. Of these, one in two had not previously been in prison. Overall, 70 percent remain relapse-free after receiving support from probation officers. More than 70 volunteer Salzburg probation officers also contribute to this.