“As expected, the Commission of Experts on the Prison System, set up by Justice Minister Anna Sporrer, has confirmed what the Austrian Ombudsman Board has known for a long time: the situation in the country’s prison system – and, above all, the care provided to prisoners with mental health conditions – is precarious,” emphasises Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz. “It is just as the commission’s chair, Wolfgang Gratz, said: had the Austrian Ombudsman Board’s recommendations, made over many years, been implemented, the tragic death at Hirtenberg Prison would probably not have occurred. It is regrettable that it took the death of a person – which was brought to light by the daily newspaper Falter – to prompt a change of mindset within the Ministry of Justice. As numerous recommendations from the Austrian Ombudsman Board are reflected in the Commission’s report, we expect the swift implementation of initial measures. “It is to be hoped that, in future, the Austrian Ombudsman Board’s appeals will be regarded not as criticism, but as a valuable resource,” states Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz.
“Whether it concerns staff shortages, overcrowding, equipment in high-security cells that poses a risk to inmates and staff alike, dramatically rising suicide rates or a lack of de-escalation training for staff – all the issues that Mr Gratz has outlined today as problematic have been documented by the Austrian Ombudsman Board in parliamentary reports for years. This year, we have published a separate focus report on the situation of prisoners with mental health conditions,” states Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz. “It is crucial that the situation in prisons improves rapidly – for the prisoners, but above all for the staff, who are already at their limit. It is commendable that the minister has thanked the dedicated prison officers and specialist staff. But these words of thanks must be followed by action,” urges Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz.
Photo: Ombudsman’s Office/Elias Pargan