Investigating human rights
withheld information about accounts after the end of the legal guardianship
and did not return documents. The AOB initiated investigative proceedings
to determine whether the court was belated in taking procedural actions. The
charges could not be verified based on a statement from the Federal Ministry
of Justice.
In 2016, there were again very few complaints made to the AOB about the
activities of professional legal guardians (“Vereinssachwalter”).
Professional legal
guardians
Penal system - furnishings for specially secured inmate cells
The furnishings in correctional institutions should pose no risk to persons who
use them. This applies to an even greater extent to specially secured inmate
cells. Any sharp-edged furnishings must be avoided there.
Furnishings as potential
hazards
On a consultation day at the Floridsdorf satellite facility of the Mittersteig
correctional institution, the AOB noticed that the furnishings of the two
specially secured inmate cells had potential hazards. Both inmate cells
contained sharp-edged iron bed frames with mattresses on them.
Sharp-edged iron beds
Therefore, the AOB recommended that the two specially secured inmate cells
be equipped with options for sitting and lying down, which could be used
by the inmates safely. For example, foam loungers and seats covered with
washable materials would be suitable. These are used in specially secured
inmate cells at the Graz-Jakomini correctional institution.
The Federal Ministry of Justice implemented this recommendation.
At the request of the AOB, the Federal Ministry of Justice also surveyed the
condition of the specially secured inmate cells in the other correctional
institutions. Sharp-edged metal objects were also found in the Klagenfurt
correctional institution. They were replaced.
However, the safe use of specially secured inmate cells cannot be ensured solely
by proper furnishings. All items given to inmates must be critically examined
to determine if inmates can use them to harm themselves.
For example, Styrofoam cups are used in the Mittersteig correctional
institution. They can be safely crushed without the material splintering. As
non-recyclable containers, they certainly do not minimise waste, but the safety
aspect outweighs the environmental protection aspect with respect to specially
secured inmate cells. As compared to Styrofoam cups, plastic cups splinter into
sharp-edged segments, which can be used to harm oneself or others.
Styrofoam cups as a
positive example
The AOB considers equipping the specially secured inmate cells in the
Mittersteig correctional institution with Styrofoam cups to be good practice.
This example was described to the Federal Ministry of Justice, and it was
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