It was a very special symposium that took place these days in the prison for young people in Gerasdorf: not only was the prison’s 53rd birthday celebrated, prison manager Margitta Neuberger-Essenther also said goodbye to retirement as part of the celebration. The graduate psychologist and philosopher worked in the judiciary for over 40 years and before her time in Gerasdorf headed the Vienna Juvenile Court Aid. She took over the management of the Gerasdorf correctional institution in the early 2000s.
Reason enough for Justice Minister Alma Zadić (Greens) to attend the meeting of top officials, judges and experts. “How we deal with delinquent youth and young people is an indicator of the social development of a society. Especially in times when the lives of children and young people are characterized by uncertainty and numerous challenges, we must step up our efforts to support young people who have committed crimes,” said the Federal Minister, who also touched on the current evaluation of youth prisons in Austria : “We would like to optimize the conditions, especially when it comes to the juvenile pre-trial detainees. But also the link to life after imprisonment, i.e. the local proximity to facilities for training, employment, but also therapy, is an important aspect that we will devote even more attention to in the future.”
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Photo: Federal Ministry of Justice
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
Photo: Justizanstalt Gerasdorf
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Prison Gerasdorf says goodbye to long-term director.
Margitta Neuberger-Essenther, head of the prison for juveniles in Gerasdorf for more than 20 years, was ceremonially retired as part of a symposium. It is currently unclear whether young people will also be accommodated in the house in the future, an evaluation is underway.
As reported, the Ombudsman Board initiated a discussion process about the future of the Gerasdorf correctional institution last year. Among other things, the location, far away from major traffic routes, or partly outdated training companies were criticized.
Minister paid tribute to long-term leader
Zadic thanked the outgoing director for her work. Neuberger-Essenther made a “significant contribution to making youth prisons in Austria a bit more modern and efficient,” the minister acknowledged.
The facility currently has 60 inmates. According to the prison, it is unclear whether young people will continue to be housed in Gerasdorf. A working group is currently meeting and the final report is expected soon. What is fixed, however, is that the institution will generally remain, it said.
