resources for activity programmes was increasingly noted, as well as
phased out educational and work opportunities as a result of workshops and trade enterprises that had been closed.
Deficits in medical care seem to be particularly alarming. The Commissions determined independently of one another that the presence
Investigative proceedings initiated
of a doctor in correctional institutions at night or on weekends and
often even during the afternoons is not ensured. As a result, emergency decisions in crisis situations are made by medical laypersons and
adequate medical care of suicidal inmates is not guaranteed. As far as
any correctional or therapeutic treatment is concerned, due to a lack
of resources, no psychotherapy or sociotherapy is available, leaving
only psychopharmacological treatment. Therefore, the inmates are
largely left to their own devices. In the meantime, the Federal Ministry of Justice has been notified of these observations. The AOB views
adequate medical care of prisoners who have gone on a hunger strike
as particularly urgent.
To the extent that the Commissions observed deficits in the living
conditions of the inmates that could be quickly remedied, such as a
defective socket or the inadequate ventilation of rooms, the prospect
of a prompt remedy was held out by the management of the facility
in the concluding discussion. Insofar as the Commissions found that
treatment of the prisoners by the correction officers was committed
and respectful despite the shortage of resources, they mentioned this
fact in their concluding discussions.
In late August, the AOB received several complaints, according to
which prisoners had been abused in the course of a drug raid in the
Ad-hoc visit upon the
AOB’s request
correctional facility in Feldkirch. Upon the AOB’s request, the Commission competent for this region conducted an ad-hoc visit within
one week. The AOB’s investigative proceeding in this regard has not
yet been concluded. Likewise still ongoing is an investigation by the
local Public Prosecutor‘s Office which has jurisdiction and was involved by the management of the facility after the allegations became
known.
49
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