Austrian officials raise concerns over juvenile detention and adult protection implementation

Austrian Ombudsman Bernard Achitz has expressed skepticism regarding plans by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner to expand prison-like accommodations for children under 14 across Austria. Speaking on ORF’s ZiB 2, Achitz argued that locking up minors should be a last resort and emphasized the need for robust legal frameworks under human and children's rights. He stressed that prevention through pedagogical and psychiatric support is essential to stop youths from becoming habitual offenders, noting that without long-term relationship building, such measures are merely temporary.

Separately, the Green Party has voiced support for the Ombudsman’s criticisms regarding the implementation of the Second Adult Protection Act. Party representatives Alma Zadić and Ralph Schallmeiner warned that the law’s goal of promoting self-determination is at risk due to a lack of low-threshold support services. They argued that adult representation should not serve as a substitute for missing social work, personal assistance, or accessible administrative processes, calling on federal states to expand infrastructure such as assisted bank accounts and peer counseling.