Increasing numbers in probation: a ray of hope for society!

Increasing numbers in probation: a ray of hope for society!

Salzburg, Österreich - probation in Austria is experiencing a sudden increase, as the probation and re-socialization association reports "restart". In 2024, a new high was reached with more than 12,300 clients, while in Salzburg there are 866 people. This corresponds to a nationwide increase of 3.5 percent compared to the previous year. It is striking that the number of legally binding convictions has been declining for years. Simone Meidl-Düringer, the head of restart Salzburg, explains that courts are increasingly seeing probation assistance as an effective measure to prevent relapses and therefore increasingly arrange them in order to give offenders a second chance.

Individual support for criminal

restart offers comprehensive support for the reintegration of delinquent people into society. This includes help when looking for a job, housing concerns and financial crises. Meidl-Düringer emphasizes that the association also offers mental and social support in order to prevent relapses, which is particularly important for young male offenders under the age of 30. The commitment of volunteers plays a crucial role in this: 170 of the 866 supervisors in Salzburg are supported by volunteers who work in this important function without specific training. "This civil society commitment is unique in all of Europe," says Meidl-Düringer, who thanks the volunteers for their commitment.

The importance of probation assistance is also underlined by a representative survey, which shows that 72 percent of the Austrian population believe that the work of restart to increase security in society contributes. The probation assistance is accessible to all criminals, regardless of the type of offense as long as the judgments are given conditionally. The focus on prevention and social integration is to reduce the relapse rate and promote a peaceful coexistence, such as ORF Salzburg and Salzburg24 report.