Vienna Juvenile Justice Faces Resource Strain

Justice Minister Anna Sporrer cites resource gaps as Prosecutor General Margit Wachberger calls for a new juvenile court in Vienna.

Justice Minister Anna Sporrer (SPÖ) stated that resources are currently lacking to establish a new juvenile court in Vienna, despite calls from Prosecutor General Margit Wachberger for a "Juvenile Court Plus." The city's original juvenile court was dissolved in 2003 under then-Minister Dieter Böhmdorfer (FPÖ). Meanwhile, the Münnichplatz prison in Vienna-Simmering, which opened in 2026, is already at full capacity or overcrowded. Designed for 72 male inmates aged 14 to 18, the facility centralizes education, therapy, sports, and the juvenile court assistance service. While Wachberger advocates for a second criminal court, Sporrer maintains that current constraints prevent implementation. The Münnichplatz site remains the primary hub for juvenile detention and support services in the region.