Correctional institutions 2.5.4 Women in prison 2.5.4.1 Implementation of minimum standards for female prisoners Vienna-Josefstadt correctional institution In February 2016, the Federal Ministry issued the “Minimum standards for women in Austrian correctional institutions” (“Mindeststandards für den Frauenvollzug in österreichischen Justizanstalten”) which established standards for the placement and care of female detainees awaiting trial and female inmates. The individual correctional institutions were then called upon to develop appropriate proposals on how to implement these minimum standards locally (see NPM Report 2016, pp. 120 et seq.). The minimum standard was to be implemented by 30 December 2016 at the latest. Even though steps towards implementation were taken, the NPM found, for example, that the minimum standards had not yet been fully implemented in Vienna-Josefstadt correctional institution by the end of 2017. Implementation period has expired According to the minimum standards, female prisoners are generally to be housed in residential groups. Of the three wards in the women’s department at Vienna-Josefstadt correctional institution, only one ward was run as a residential group during the past year (and that one only partially). The situation should improve when there will be a structural separation of the areas for open residential groups on the wards for prisoners and persons awaiting trial. However, even after these partitions are completed, comparatively few women will profit from being housed in residential groups due to limited capacity. Another weakness is that there is no social pedagogue in the women’s ward for adult inmates. A social pedagogue position to work 40 hours per week, which was requested by the head of the female prison, had not been approved at the time of completing this report. Lack of care Another negative observation by the NPM is that there are still no special further training offerings for employees of the female prison, even though this is mandated by the minimum standards. The Federal Ministry promised to provide training and information on the topic of female prisons. When this will be done remains to be seen. No further training opportunities XX  The minimum standards for women in Austrian correctional institutions must be implemented as soon as possible. XX  In addition to adequate accommodation, female inmates must also be assured adequate care. 117