National Preventive Mechanism Incarceration of juvenile offenders in correctional institutions – deficits remain despite improvements Raped with a broom handle A particularly tragic incident occurred early last summer at the ViennaJosefstadt correctional institution. Before the eyes of other prisoners, a (then) 16-year-old raped a detainee awaiting trial who was two years younger and seriously abused him. The public was shocked. The Federal Ministry of Justice established a task force to improve the conditions for incarceration of juvenile offenders. Smouldering potential for aggression Months before this crime, the NPM had warned the prison administration of the potential risks that could materialise when youth are confined at close quarters with no employment. As a result of this tragic incident, the NPM has put a special monitoring focus on this matter and increased its visits to the Josefstadt correctional institution. Emergency measures In a follow-up visit in the autumn of 2013, the NPM could see an improvement in many aspects of the conditions found in April. The conditions of detention have significantly improved, which the inmates confirmed. Additional improvement required As before, the long lock-up times and the lack of a programme of activities are criticised. Therefore, the NPM proposes additional improvements. In particular, the content of training programmes must be established and compliance and implementation must be monitored. In this regard, the Federal Ministry of Justice stated that the youth sections are run as shared accommodations with open inmate cells from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. They offer a wide-ranging and varied recreational programme. 144 Further attention Efforts are currently being made to establish a “pool” or group of employees with a special interest in juvenile offenders. A targeted training programme entitled the “Detention of Juvenile Offenders as a Field of Work” is being developed to quantitatively improve the care of juveniles. Improved training Since the spring of 2014, basic training for the employees interested in the “Detention of Juvenile Offenders Pool” has included a specific, fourpart course at the penitentiary system academy. A mandatory three-day conference is to be held each year for senior staff of the juvenile department. In addition, specialised seminars are offered of which at least one must be attended. Regular meetings All occupational groups in the juvenile department must attend weekly department team meetings (multi-professional team). In addition, there is a regular monthly meeting, and semi-annual team and interim examinations are planned. In addition, all employees will be free to avail themselves of external supervision or peer consulting (“professionals meeting