detainees (see also NPM Report 2014, p. 83 et seq.).
For example, the tight personnel situation continues to be the greatest
structural barrier in the Vienna-Josefstadt correctional institution. The
personnel shortage continues and has an adverse effect on the prison
regime and on the employees of the correctional institution. The
frustration in this regard could be clearly sensed by the visiting
delegation.
It is particularly worth criticising that no improvements have been
noted despite the fact that the NPM has repeatedly drawn attention to
the problem of the tight personnel situation and the resulting negative
effects on the detainees.
The NPM also heard complaints from detainees regarding the lengthy
lock-up times and inadequate activities in the Wiener Neustadt
correctional institution. Detainees, also those in the infirmary or on
remand, have complained that they are confined to their cells for 23
hours per day. During a visit to the Garsten correctional institution, the
NPM also reaffirmed its demand to reduce lock-up times.
Rigid lock-up times
Although the workshops in the Klagenfurt correctional institution are at
full capacity and are never closed for the day, the employment rate is
only 55% to 60% at a maximum. The number of employed detainees
cannot be increased due to the lack of space.
Low employment rate
The NPM also points out the early lock-up times on weekends for
juveniles in the Innsbruck and Graz-Jakomini correctional institutions.
On weekends (from Friday to Sunday), juvenile detainees are locked
up at 3:00 p.m. This situation is very unsatisfactory. Moreover, few or
no activities or employment programmes are offered on these days.
Juveniles are locked up
early on weekends
However, the Federal Ministry of Justice argued that there was a
shortage of personnel and stated that the situation could only be
overcome through shorter working hours and the temporary closing of
business workshops. Nevertheless, the Federal Ministry of Justice gave
its assurance that the prison administration is endeavouring to expand
and improve the work and employment situation for detained persons
in correctional institutions in question.
Moreover, the Federal Ministry of Justice replied that – in response to
the deplorable incidents at the Vienna-Josefstadt correctional
institution in 2013 – the weekend lock-up time in the juvenile sections
had already been moved from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. without
additional resources. It was not possible to further move the lock-up
time to 5:00 p.m. without additional personnel.
No further leeway
without additional
personnel
On 1 November 2015, a four-month-long test run of modified working
hours began in order to relieve the tight staff situation at the ViennaJosefstadt correctional institution. After evaluating the test run, a
decision will be made on whether to introduce new working hours.
In this regard, it can also be reported that, according to of the Federal
Ministry of Justice, the pilot project to utilise employees of the
craftsman service (see NPM Report 2014, pp. 85 et seq.) has led to a
Results of the pilot
project using
appropriately skilled
107
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents