National Preventive Mechanism Graz-Karlau, Stein and Vienna-Simmering correctional institutions on 1 October 2014 with a total of 19 craftsmen. The pilot project will be evaluated in December 2014. Therefore, until the additional (100 in all) executive service positions are filled, the hiring of craftsmen (by the recruitment agency for justice supporting staff) for a period of one year will serve the purpose of increasing the employment rate, reducing the days on which operations are shut down, and providing relief to the correctional institution. There are currently (as at 4 November 2014) four additional civilian employees working at Graz-Karlau: a painter, a plumber, a cook and a locksmith. Three additionally skilled personnel (a cook, a baker and a bricklayer) will start providing services in the near future. The experience in Graz-Karlau has been extremely positive thus far. Moreover, the employee representatives have demonstrated a willingness to cooperate. Positive feedback The NPM regrets that an amicable solution could not be found with the employee representatives. However, it welcomes the steps taken by the Federal Ministry of Justice. They not only serve to implement the recommendations of the CPT, frequently expressed by them (e.g. CPT/Inf[94]15, etc.), but also honour Item 26.2 et seq. of Recommendation REC (2006) 2 (“European Prison Rules”), to which Austria subscribed in May 2007. International requirements met ¾¾ Efforts to find an amicable solution with respect to personnel matters may not be so protracted that there is an adverse impact on the interests of inmates. ¾¾ If necessary, the Federal Ministry of Justice must again make use of the decision-making authority granted to it by statute. Destressing incident triggers special audit and reform of detention of mentally ill offenders In May 2014, the media reported an appalling case involving toleration of the neglect of an inmate who had been held in detention for mentally ill offenders at the Stein correctional institution for many years. The NPM used these reports as a reason to monitor the facility in question. The purpose of this was not to answer questions that are the responsibility of the law enforcement authorities. Rather, the NPM was interested in determining how a person who was under the care of the state could end up in such a condition. NPM reacts promptly The inmate was a 74-year-old prisoner, who, after serving a prison sentence in Switzerland, had been in the detention for mentally ill offenders at the Stein correctional institution since 2008. His legs were cankerous, his skin was encrusted with ulcers, and his toe nails were centimetres long and curled Shocking photos 137