Correctional institutions
partners. Furthermore, the visits with children shall be organised as childfriendly as possible. Generally speaking, visits should be organised in such a
way that prisoners can maintain family relationships as normally as possible.
The Federal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, Deregulation and
Justice points out that the organisation of table visits is not standardised by
law. As long as there is no fear that the table visits will be abused, surveillance
is not necessary or the loosening of other rules for organising the visit can
be approved. The complete removal of physical barriers is not set forth in
the law. For this reason, the approach used by Wiener Neustadt correctional
institution is not criticised by the Federal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs,
Reforms, Deregulation and Justice. With respect to the physical contact ban
during table visits, the Ministry points out that there is no subjective right visà-vis the public authorities regarding how the visit is organised, the foregoing
of surveillance or permitting bodily contact.
Strict contact ban is
disproportionate
The NPM stresses that in many other court prisons table visits are held
without physical barriers and bodily contact is allowed. It is encouraging
that the approach used by Wiener Neustadt correctional institution was
addressed during an inspection by representatives of the Federal Ministry
of Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, Deregulation and Justice. The result was
that the new management of Wiener Neustadt correctional institution was
requested by the Ministry – in accordance with the recommendation of the
NPM – to permit table visits without any barriers between the detainees and
the visitors.
XX
Table visits should – provided there are no concrete security concerns to the contrary –
be held without physical barriers and with the possibility of bodily contact.
XX
Family visits shall be made possible with children of all ages and partners as a matter
of principle. Visits with children shall be organised in a child-friendly way as far as
possible.
2.5.9.3 Internet telephony
Internet telephony provides a cost-effective and modern opportunity for
detainees to maintain contact with their families and friends during their time
in detention. This modern form of communication is especially helpful if the
contact is very restricted or not possible due to high telephone costs or long
distances to the prison (e.g. from abroad). The NPM already recommended
the introduction of Internet telephony in correctional institutions in 2015 (see
NPM Report 2015, p. 110; NPM Report 2016, p. 127 et seq.).
Cheap form of
communication
The Federal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, Deregulation and
Justice started a pilot project with some delay for the implementation of
Pilot project not yet
complete
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