Universal Periodic Review

Take measures aimed at reducing the number of detainees and ensure that prisons were provided with adequate financial resources to fulfil their aim of rehabilitation and social reintegration

Proponent:

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Apr 1, 2025):

There are currently 191 unfilled posts in Austrian prisons, including 111 in the executive service and 80 in administration. This leads to a considerable workload for the existing staff, who have to compensate for both staff shortages and absences due to illness. The answers to two parliamentary questions make it clear that the staff shortage has existed for years and that the situation remains tense (see two questions: https://www.parlament.gv.at/dokument/XXVII/AB/17366/imfname_1624738.pdf and https://www.parlament.gv.at/dokument/XXVII/AB/17457/imfname_1625033.pdf). In the last three years, the number of staff has not been increased, although the number of inmates has risen. The government’s current practice is criticised as a lack of administration. Posts are not increased with the argument that they cannot be filled anyway, and there are no measures to make the professions in the prisons more attractive. There is a particular lack of specialised staff such as social workers and psychologists. A more attractive job profile with fair pay is considered essential to remedy the situation. Despite measures such as the increase in basic salaries and a new recruiting and image campaign, filling vacancies remains challenging. Further measures, such as the heavy labour regulation for all justice guard employees, are considered necessary (see also statistics on the Ministry of Justice website on the distribution of inmate numbers: https://www.justiz.gv.at/strafvollzug/statistik/verteilung-des-insassinnen-bzw-insassenstandes.2c94848542ec49810144457e2e6f3de9.de.html). Legislatively, there are no recognisable changes that will lead to a reduction in the number of people in prison.  In a study published in March 2023 by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR), other problem areas were also pointed out as alternatives to the deprivation of liberty of children (e.g. complete removal of juveniles from detention centres, capacities of juvenile psychiatry).   As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the federal government is pursuing this goal through close cooperation with all stakeholders (see Government Plan 2ß025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html). Prisons tend to be at or above capacity. This has a negative impact on the quality of prison conditions and the opportunities for rehabilitation and resocialisation. Due to limited resources and overcrowding in prisons, it is often difficult to effectively fulfil the purpose of resocialisation (see also statistics on the website of the Ministry of Justice, on the distribution of the inmate population: https://www.justiz.gv.at/strafvollzug/statistik/verteilung-des-insassinnen-bzw-insassenstandes.2c94848542ec49810144457e2e6f3de9.de.html). In addition, the Court of Audit published a report on the resocialisation measures of the justice system in August 2024 (see report: https://www.rechnungshof.gv.at/rh/home/home/2024_8_Resozialisierung_Justiz.pdf). From January to May 2023, the ACA audited the measures for the resocialisation of prisoners in prisons at the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Directorate General for the Execution of Sentences. It also audited the association „NEUSTART – Bewährungshilfe, Konfliktregelung, Soziale Arbeit“ with regard to cooperation and quality management, analysing and assessing the strategic orientation, impact objectives, organisation, staff, specific resocialisation measures and interface management.   As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the federal government is pursuing this goal through close cooperation with all stakeholders (see Government Plan 2ß025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html).