Vienna Opens Facility for Young Intensive Offenders

A new specialized facility in Vienna-Simmering has admitted its first resident, a 13-year-old boy, to address youth intensive offenders.

The "Auszeit-WG" in Vienna's 11th district launched in July 2026 under Vice Mayor Bettina Emmerling to house up to two children. The facility features shatterproof glass and security doors, staffed by at least three social workers. Stays range from six to twelve weeks and currently require a medical diagnosis of mental illness. Placement decisions are made by a commission and require judicial approval under the Vienna Child and Youth Welfare Act and the Home Stay Act. While the first resident is a 13-year-old boy, Justice Minister Anna Sporrer announced that the Ministry of Justice is developing a legal amendment to allow detention for educational purposes. This new legal framework for facilities with exit restrictions is expected by autumn 2026 to expand the current legal basis.