The Ombudswoman does not accept the fact that the number of posts in prisons has been increased. "It's no good if staff are constantly leaving and the posts can't be filled. Increasing permanent posts is nice, but it is at best a symptom and not a treatment plan. The fact is that judicial staff are suffering from overwork and a wave of retirements is looming. Something needs to happen quickly. Because the blatant lack of staff has a negative impact on the atmosphere in prison for both judicial staff and inmates," says Gaby Schwarz, citing poor pay as one of the reasons. "If the staffing ratio isn't right, the inmates can't be looked after properly. Necessary therapies are impossible, and it is not uncommon for inmates to spend just one hour in the yard. This is a situation that cannot be tolerated."
In its annual report, the Austrian Ombudsman Board made 48 recommendations to the Ministry of Justice. "So far, little has been implemented. As the Austrian Ombudsman Board, we are also responsible for upholding human rights. The fact that such inhumane conditions prevail in Austria's prisons is unacceptable. Even though the National Council elections are just around the corner, I appeal to the Minister of Justice to get things moving quickly in the interests of prison staff and the resocialisation of inmates and to implement improvements without delay," demands Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz.
Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz: "The fact that such inhumane conditions prevail in Austria's prisons is unacceptable."
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