After more than 30 years as a prison doctor, Joe Bausch (69) is convinced that criminals have one thing in common. “Everyone failed in some way before,” said Bausch, who is also known as a coroner from the Cologne “crime scene” (WDR), the German Press Agency. “Failed in planning your own life, failed in the expectation of a relationship, failed in your own demands on life that you couldn’t meet.”
He saw this again and again in the case of perpetrators with whom he had dealt until retirement in 2018 in the Werl prison in Westphalia. “You meet the crème de la crème of the crime. Those who have received life imprisonment plus severity of guilt plus preventive detention.” Bausch has just published a new book about those who have shouldered the heaviest guilt: “Maxima Culpa – Every crime begins in the mind”.
One often failed in the environment of the perpetrators: “Many of them had anomalies early on, but nobody took them at face value,” said Bausch. It was better to wait, didn’t see the signs properly, didn’t want early stigmatization. “Until the child fell into the well.” Here he clearly sees a gap. And: “We need more moral courage again,” said Bausch.
“We are all called upon to do our bit to ensure that we can feel safe in public spaces and at home.” According to experts, a significant majority of crimes could have been prevented if someone had been alert early enough, the author said.
Bausch was a prison doctor in the Werl prison for 32 years. He has also made a name for himself as an author since 2012. He is expected with his recently published book at the Crime Festival “Tatort Eifel” on September 20th in Daun in the Vulkaneifel. According to the organizers, the Crime Festival from September 16th to 24th is Germany’s largest get-together for crime fiction fans and trade visitors.
Crime Festival Tatort Eifel
