NCJ Number
160156
Date Published
1994
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This commission made comprehensive suggestions for improving the treatment, social reintegration, and prerelease evaluation of long-term Austrian inmates.
Abstract
The 21-member commission consisted of criminal justice experts, government representatives from several European countries, and medical experts. It was established after an inmate on furlough murdered a young boy. The commission proceeded from the premise that even long-term inmates and psychiatric criminals will eventually regain their freedom. To minimize the risk to the public, changes in the organization and personnel of Austrian prisons are needed. As to prison organization, the commission suggested forming smaller units within prisons to facilitate more individualized therapy. In addition, inmates must be able to work productively and to advance their job skills. Inmate transitions into liberty should take place in supervised living arrangements (e.g. halfway houses) and with adequate psychiatric/psychosocial support. As to personnel, the commission suggested a more refined selection and training process, special training for dealing with foreign inmates, and a closer collaboration among professionals involved in inmate treatment. The development of standards for preparing and evaluating prerelease inmates is also required.