The 29-year-old man was arrested in Vienna after police discovered 45 kg of cannabis, 2 kg of cocaine, nearly 2 kg of amphetamine, and over 2,000 ecstasy pills in his home. Initially held at Josefstadt prison, he was transferred to Korneuburg, 15 km from the capital, after nearly breaking a bed due to his weight.
At Korneuburg, he has a reinforced bed and 24-hour nursing care. Imprisonment in a hospital with security oversight was deemed too expensive, despite the current cost of 2,090 USD per day, 10 times the average.
The prison spent approximately 23,200 USD to modify doorways and hallways, and commissioned custom-made clothing from an external company.
A special diet to manage his diabetes and high blood pressure, designed by a nutrition company, costs 348 USD daily. Doctors say managing his health is complicated by his refusal to participate in a weight loss program, raising concerns about medical complications during his incarceration.
His history of heart problems prompted the prison to purchase a 3,480 USD automated external defibrillator. Two additional security personnel trained to assist with his mobility and potential cardiac events cost around 580 USD per day, excluding medical expenses.
Each special transport costs approximately 5,800 USD, so interrogations are conducted via video conferencing.
The high cost has sparked public debate in Austria. "People outside often wait a long time to see a doctor, while the budget for prisoners is prioritized," one person commented.
The Korneuburg taxpayer advocacy group protested outside the prison, demanding government transparency on incarceration costs and claiming unfair resource allocation, especially given the strain on the public health system.
Politicians are urging the transfer of inmates with special needs, like severe obesity, to specialized medical facilities to alleviate the financial burden on the justice system. The Austrian Ministry of Justice is considering long-term solutions, including dedicated facilities, but this requires significant parliamentary funding.
Some human rights lawyers argue that imprisoning the man in a standard prison may violate international standards, given the inadequate facilities for severely obese individuals.
They propose transferring him to a high-security hospital, despite the high cost. "Keeping someone in conditions that don't meet their basic medical needs could be considered inhumane," a lawyer said.
Ngoc Ngan (Theo Oddity Central, Der Standard)
