René Benko dies while incarcerated in Innsbruck prison

René Benko, once celebrated as Austria’s “Year’s Person” and a prominent billionaire, died in an Innsbruck prison after almost two years of confinement that began in January 2025. He was transferred to the facility in his native city, where authorities reported his behavior as orderly. His death comes amid a severe overcrowding crisis, with the prison system operating beyond capacity and suffering from a lack of guards and prosecutors.

Each inmate costs the state roughly 180 euros per day, while housing them in rented apartments costs about 40 euros. To cope with staff shortages, courts have begun employing artificial intelligence to read indictments, and many prisoners are monitored with electronic ankle bracelets.