Linz University is to mount a pilot scheme giving former neo-Nazis the chance to study history and sociology in a bid to change their outlook.
Around 45 extremist skinheads, who were found guilty of glorifying the Third Reich and planning attacks on foreigners, are to study at the university instead of going to prison.
From 1996 to 1999, an extreme-right skinhead movement was particularly active in Linz and other towns in upper Austria. The network was discovered and its members were to face legal proceedings for glorifying Nazism, a criminal act with penalties of up to ten years' imprisonment.
Siegfried Sittenthaler, chief public prosecutor in Linz, together with Irene Dyk, of the sociology department at Linz University, developed a project entitled "Diversion". The idea is to offer an alternative to imprisonment or detention in some cases.
The neo-Nazis will follow courses in history and democracy, and will study Hitler's regime and its atrocities, the aftermath of the Holocaust and the building of democracy in postwar Austria.
The courses are offered in the evenings and are paid for by the students. The idea is to change the outlook and consciousness of the former culprits.
The university was optimistic that their new recruits will change if given the chance. It claims the young men regret their neo-Nazi activities, which were often carried out under the influence of alcohol.
The project will be evaluated to see if it can be applied throughout Austria.