New location for young people: Vienna-Münnichplatz Justicean

New location for young people: Vienna-Münnichplatz Justicean

In the Simmering judgment, the plans for the accommodation of young people have suffered an unexpected setback in a new facility. Originally, the facility was to be put into operation in the summer of 2024, but current information shows that the structural measures have not yet been completed and the management of the new institution has not yet been found. According to the Ministry of Justice, the Münnichplatz judge in Simmering will act independently, even if it will be accommodated on the site of the Vienna Simmering judgment.

The Münnichplatz judiciary is said to offer 65 detention places for young criminals. The focus of the concept is the resocialization of young people in order to enable them to be better reintegrated into society. The urban space in Vienna is considered particularly important in order to be able to implement “loosening measures” step by step. This is an approach that is intended to help young people and young adults to offer a perspective right from the start.

Current status of the construction

District head Thomas Steinhart has recently confirmed that so far no official request for the planned expansion of the Vienna Simmering judgment has been received. The Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for the implementation, explains that the upcoming structural measures are not a prerequisite for the opening of the institution. The detention rooms are already repaired. It is also mentioned that the responsibility for listed structural measures also lies with the Federal Monument Office.

At the beginning of the year, a working group was founded to develop standards for the new institution. Which person will take over the management of the institution is still unclear; A tender has not yet produced a suitable person. The occupation procedure is underway, and it is emphasized by the Ministry of Justice that the settlement of the new location may begin at the beginning of next year.

The project is repeatedly criticized. The National Council Member Christian Lausch from the FPÖ expressed concerns and spoke of a “harmful chaos project”. The public prosecutor Gaby Schwarz (ÖVP) also described the delays as a scandal and criticized the non -compliance with the schedule. In view of such statements, one gains the impression that the situation around the Münnichplatz judiciary is anything but stable.

The situation remains tense. In view of the ongoing uncertainty about when the institution can actually be opened and which controversy exist in advance, further development can be observed. It remains to be seen whether those responsible are able to implement the required standards in good time and find a suitable line.