Vacancies vacant – security alarm in domestic prisons

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For years there has been a blatant shortage of staff in Austrian prisons – as reported by the “Krone” several times. A recent response to questions from Green Justice Minister Alma Zadić highlights the extent of the understaffing. She also lists some targeted recruitment measures. Yet there is criticism: “The efforts of the minister are simply not enough,” says SPÖ spokeswoman Selma Yildirim.

“As of November 1, 2022, there were 144 vacancies for managerial positions. By the end of 2022, including two basic training courses and after deducting any retirements, there will probably be about 120 vacancies,” the minister explains. From January to November 2022, the number of full-time equivalents increased by four to 3315.

The staff shortage is also reflected in overtime. In 2021, prison guards worked 215,212 hours of overtime, compared to 162,515 in the previous year – this data covers the months of January through September. However, according to Zadić, how much leave the employees of the prison guards could not take in the past five years “cannot be answered without an unreasonably high administrative effort”.

Media appointments, participation in job fairs and more
“Competition for suitably qualified law enforcement personnel has intensified in recent years,” Zadić emphasizes. The ministry is constantly striving to present the activities of the professional groups and make them known to the public. Certain recruitment measures are launched, such as appearances in print media, participation in job fairs, recruitment in schools and companies, and commercials in cinemas.

Online recruitment days are also on the agenda, where all interested parties receive information and tips about application procedures, training, careers and further training opportunities. “Since December 2021, the prison academy with the Stein and Linz training centers has organized eight such events, in which 2,657 interested people have participated. With this measure, two basic training courses could be filled,” says Zadić.

“Application for recruiting officers is ongoing”
In addition, the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sports approved the establishment and evaluation of two recruitment officers belonging to the executive service in the prison academy, which specifically advertise the job profile of the prison officer, but also all other activities in the prison system and to implement measures to be used in connection with staff recruitment. One is responsible for the East region and the other for the West region. The relevant internal and external communication and the administration for the recruitment of new staff now run through these two. In this context, the recruitment officers will also operate an electronic platform for answering questions about the prison and prison professions and in particular about the profession of prison officer. The tender is currently in progress.

Evaluation of duty rosters, reduction of hourly workload
“We also continuously evaluate which recruitment measures work best and which additional advertising options are opportune. For example, there are plans to use company cars as advertising space for recruiting new staff or to set up a separate social media organizational unit for recruitment measures for all professional groups within the justice system, “explains the Minister of Justice.

Furthermore, the current admission procedure will also be evaluated in terms of time reduction and efforts will be made to include prison guards in the reform considerations for a possible service law for the police and the federal army. The existing duty rosters are also continuously evaluated and optimized and work is being done to reduce the workload of the prison guards per hour by relieving them of administrative tasks. In addition, there is permanent training and further training for civil servants.

Another focus is on occupational health management, which according to the Ministry of Justice is a key factor in being seen as an attractive employer. In this context, the prison academy has already set up its own psychological service, which, in addition to supervising the entrance tests on a psychological level, is also responsible for evaluating the psychological stress on the work floor of the employees and promoting the associated health measures.

“The proportion of women and people with a migration background must increase”
According to the answer to the question, this targeted public relations work and the continued expansion of advertising measures for the recruitment of young professionals are intended to “in particular increase the proportion of women and people with a migrant background among prison guards”.

‘The staff shortage is no longer acceptable’
SPÖ spokeswoman for justice NR Selma Yildirim, who submitted the request, emphasizes that this shortage of staff is “no longer acceptable”: “The problem has existed for years. The conditions in the detention centers apparently pose a huge threat to the safety of the staff Unfortunately, hardly anything will change in that respect either.” In addition, extra permanent appointments are needed to enable the guards to fulfill the tasks set.

“Companies that train and employ inmates are repeatedly shut down. But working there would be important’, says Yildirim. She notes the efforts of the Minister of Justice, “apparently that is not enough”. The SPÖ has been demanding clear management concepts in prisons for years, the creation and better appreciation of new permanent positions, but also structural improvements and a personnel offensive.

Source: Krone

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