Criticism of the new youth prison in Simmering: Questions about security and care!

Criticism of the new youth prison in Simmering: Questions about security and care!

A lot is happening in Simmering: At Münnichplatz, it is currently being worked intensively on a new youth prison, the opening of which is planned for November 2025. But the entire situation around the project is not entirely unproblematic. As MeinDzirk.at , the facility is already under critical observation.

The new building is to serve as an expansion of the existing judiciary Simmering and follow the closure of the Gerasdorf youth criminal ministry Alma Zadič (Greens) in 2020. Although the first group of 15 youthful occupants, which are between 15 and 17 and who are in prison for ownership and violent crimes, has already been completed since the beginning of the year, the infrastructure of Prison not yet completely ready. Especially in the sanitary area, the public prosecutor's office determined defects that are to be remedied until the end of summer.

move and criticism

The move of the youth criminal institution from Josefstadt to Simmering has been an issue for years and is associated with challenges. People's attorney Gaby Schwarz critically commented on the provisional accommodation and called for the renovation work before the youth criminal investment officially opens its gates. The cells offer modern equipment with two beds, a table, a cabinet and your own bathroom, but a look at the construction site of the courtyard still leaves room for improvements. Among other things, football and basketball courts and a garden are planned to offer the occupants an appropriate leisure offer.

The head of the institution Seada Killinger and General Director Friedrich Alexander Koenig have already emphasized that access to the site should no longer be allowed in the future. A 2.50 meter high fence with barbed wire is built behind the monument protection garden fence to increase safety. However, the Ministry of Justice cannot reveal any details on the division of shift and personnel situation in the facility for "security -relevant reasons", which increases the concerns about the security and well -being of the occupants. Norbert Dürnberger, the union chairman, describes the personnel situation as tense.

promotion of re -socialization

A central point of the new concept for the youth criminal investment is the focus on re -socialization. In addition to security measures, an interdisciplinary team of educators and social workers should look after the occupants and support them in their development. School education and professional support are in the foreground. Of the currently 15 inmates, 11 have no compulsory school leaving certificate and take part in lessons, including German courses. In addition, there are workshops in which young people can get to know professions such as carpenters, bakers or bricklayers, which should significantly improve their labor market opportunities.

The daily routine in the institution is clearly structured. From 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the young people are integrated into activities before they have to return to their cells. The new youth prison on Münnichplatz tries to meet the high demands on a modern youth criminal investment, which is primarily aimed at education and holistic support. The aim is to use as many resources as possible for the resocialization of the occupants, because a positive turn in the life of young people is to be initiated here.

The future of JA Münnichplatz remains exciting. The first steps are taken, but many questions are still in the room. How well will the infrastructure be expanded to the full opening? How is the security of the inmates and staff guaranteed? And can the desired re -socialization goals actually be achieved? Not only a good hand of those responsible, but also the cohesion of the community are required here. The prerequisites for doing good business for the young criminals are there - now it depends on implementing them.