Ombudsman questions legal basis for minister's 'timeout' homes for young offenders

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is facing scrutiny over his proposal to expand "timeout" group homes for young intensive offenders. Karner views a recent court decision as validation for his plan to roll out these facilities across all Austrian federal states.

However, parliamentary ombudsman Bernhard Achitz has raised serious concerns about the legal foundation of these proposed "Auszeit-WGs" (timeout group homes). Speaking on the public broadcaster ORF's "ZiB 2" program, Achitz stated that a clear legal basis is missing for detaining individuals under such conditions. He emphasized that "locking someone up must be the very last measure," and that numerous other interventions must be attempted beforehand.

Karner, a member of the conservative ÖVP party, believes the "timeout" concept is crucial for addressing youth crime. The initiative aims to provide a structured environment for young individuals exhibiting intensive offending behavior. Yet, Achitz, nominated by the opposition SPÖ, argues for a focus on support and simplification rather than adult guardianship models, questioning the legality and necessity of Karner's proposed detentions.