Country

Austria

Detention issue

FRA research findings

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Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
Penitentiary System Act (Strafvollzugsgesetz) An educational influence on the detainees shall be endeavoured in the implementation of all measures of the penal system. In addition, detainees shall be given special educational counselling in individual and group discussions and in other suitable ways. Detainees shall be informed by a legally competent person of the legal disadvantages they will continue to suffer after their release as a result of their conviction and of the legal possibilities for remedying these disadvantages. Detainees shall be instructed to maintain relationships with their relatives insofar as this is possible without interfering with the orderly operation of the prison and insofar as it is to be expected that this will have a favourable influence on the detainees, promote their later progress or otherwise be of benefit to them.
Penitentiary System Act (Strafvollzugsgesetz) Every detainee capable of work shall be obliged to perform labour. Detainees obliged to work shall perform the work assigned to them.
Penitentiary System Act (Strafvollzugsgesetz) Detainees who have not learnt a profession or who cannot be employed in the profession they have learnt shall be trained in a profession corresponding to their knowledge, abilities and possibly also their inclinations, if and insofar as this is possible within the term of the sentence. Certificates of vocational training shall be issued in such a way that it is not recognisable that the examination or training took place in prison.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report
2023Preventive measures against the spread of the COVID-19 virus shall not be excessive. Access to special services shall be guaranteed even while in arrival cells. Report details
2022Efforts shall be made to mix male and female detainees in the institution’s companies providing occupational opportunities. Report details
2022In the long term, a strategy shall be developed for the purpose of gradually increasing the employment rate (work) of male detainees. Recreational opportunities shall be expanded. Report details