Neustart to end job training for former inmates due to budget cuts

The probation assistance association Neustart has announced it will discontinue its job training programs for individuals released from prison in 2027. The decision follows projected budget cuts for the 2027/2028 period, which are expected to leave the organization with an eight-million-euro deficit over the next two years.

The training programs, which operated workshops in Vienna and Linz, supported 326 clients in the previous year. The closure will also affect eight full-time employees. Neustart CEO Alfred Kohlberger warned that these cuts could impact public safety, noting that job security and employment are critical factors in preventing recidivism.

In addition to the program closures, the organization is facing challenges regarding caseworker ratios. While the probation assistance law mandates a maximum of 35 clients per probation officer, Neustart reported an average of approximately 40 clients per officer in August. Kohlberger indicated that financial constraints may force the organization to deviate even further from legal staffing guidelines.