Vienna court rules on freedom restrictions in 'Auszeit-WG' facility

The District Court of Innere Stadt in Vienna is conducting a closed-door hearing to determine the legality of freedom-restricting measures applied to a 13-year-old resident of the “Auszeit-WG” facility. The teenager, described as a repeat offender, has been in the facility since July 13.

The hearing focuses on whether the current restrictions, such as locking the front door, can be replaced by less intrusive measures. This assessment follows evaluations by experts in child and adolescent psychiatry and special education. If the court finds the measures inadmissible, the minor must be released immediately.

The legal basis for the facility remains a subject of debate. While the facility operates under the Heimaufenthaltsgesetz (Home Stay Act), legal experts have questioned whether this law, which typically governs restrictions for the mentally ill or disabled in care homes, is appropriate for juvenile offenders. The VertretungsNetz association requested the review of these restrictions.