Austria could receive two new prisons

Austria's correctional facilities are overcrowded. To improve the situation, Justice Minister Anna Sporrer (SPÖ) sees only one solution: new prisons. In an interview with the APA, she announced plans to initiate two construction projects next year: a correctional facility and, if possible, a forensic-therapeutic center "in the west" of Austria. Talks with the finance minister have already been "announced." The construction is likely to outlast Sporrer's term in office.

Mild Criticism of Zadić

"The situation in the penal institutions is serious. There is overcrowding and there is too little staff," warned Sporrer. Recently, the correctional facility (JA) Josefstadt, which is currently being renovated while in operation, has made negative headlines. For instance, dinner was served at 1:30 PM in a juvenile ward. The financing for all ongoing construction projects is secured, Sporrer emphasized.

However, she does not want the penal system to be "talked down." Although her predecessor Alma Zadić began to address the issue, "but a bit too late and a bit too little, compared to what is needed." Above all, demographics require it: Today, around two million more people live in Austria than 25 years ago, and this is also reflected in criminality.

The renovation of JA Josefstadt, which began before her term and is ongoing while in operation, is "naturally a challenge," said Sporrer. "I have been in office for three-quarters of a year. If I had the time, I would be on the construction site myself."

Prison Before Full Operation

Sporrer also "inherited" the rather tedious debate about the new juvenile prison at Münnichplatz in Vienna-Simmering. This was partially occupied at the beginning of the year during construction, but full operation was repeatedly postponed. The inauguration with director Seada Killinger will take place on January 19, and full operation with 72 inmates will start by the end of January, the minister announced.

Currently, the operation is well-positioned, with a therapist and medical care provided by an external doctor secured. In the juvenile prison, four apprenticeships can be learned. "If the detention is shorter than the duration of the apprenticeship (short apprenticeships of one to one and a half years, note), the apprenticeship can be continued there, and it will not be apparent in the apprenticeship certificate that it was completed in a detention facility."

Expansion of House Arrest

Through conditional release and the expansion of electronically monitored house arrest (now possible with two years remaining on the sentence instead of one), which the three-party coalition agreed upon before the summer, efforts are being made to counteract the overcrowding of domestic prisons. However, the electronic ankle bracelet will not empty the prisons, Sporrer admits: "Currently, about 360 people are in electronically monitored house arrest, and we expect 150 more per year. This can only be one of several relief measures given the actual numbers."

Sporrer does not believe that the electronic ankle bracelet fuels a two-tier justice system (wealthy individuals are more likely to meet the criteria for residence and income). If someone is eligible for the electronic ankle bracelet but does not have a residence, the Neustart association can help find an apartment and a job for the affected person. "It's not the case that you must already have the apartment. Electronically monitored house arrest is also a form of penal execution, so inmates are supported during the transition."

Foreigners convicted in Austria could also serve their sentences in their home countries. This works very well with EU countries. However, there is also communication with countries in the Western Balkans or Maghreb states, which is another way to address overcrowding in correctional facilities.

Staff Shortage Present

The call for new positions in correctional facilities is misguided, as even now, existing positions cannot be filled with qualified personnel. Currently, about five percent of positions for uniformed correctional officers are unfilled, and in the non-executive area - such as nursing, health, and psychological services - even eleven percent. Therefore, a personnel initiative is planned for the coming year.

As ongoing measures to increase attractiveness, the minister mentioned the "Athleta" project, where young top athletes undergo training similar to that in the military or police alongside competitions and training. In Graz, a bachelor's program in judicial management started in the fall. "But next year, we want to reach out to the general public and explain which interesting professions can be pursued within a correctional facility, a detention center, or a forensic-therapeutic center."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.