Started law studies

Two prison guards soon to become public prosecutors or judges

Thomas H. and Michael P. could soon swap their prison guard uniforms for gowns.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Anja Richter)

The two 34-year-olds spent many years working alongside prisoners in prisons and at court trials. Two years ago, they took a remarkable step and began studying law. 

The Austrian Association of Judges is calling for more than 100 additional posts because the number of cases in the courts has been rising sharply for some time. There are already promising candidates for two of them: Thomas H. and Michael P., both 34 years old, are following a particularly remarkable path in the judiciary. H. was a prison guard at Josefstadt prison for eleven years, while his colleague spent five years in Simmering and three years in Gerasdorf working directly with prisoners.

"Ensuring security and order"
Two years ago, the two of them independently decided to study law so that they could later work as judges or public prosecutors, for example. "There are many opportunities for career advancement within the justice system with a law degree," says Thomas H., explaining their decision. The aim of both of them is "to ensure security and order."

The prison officers are currently working as "recruiting officers", advertising career opportunities in the penal system. The multimedia course in Linz is running on the side.