Bernhard Mager, head of Vienna’s Children and Youth Welfare Office (MA 11), has stated he will continue with the controversial “Auszeit-WG” project despite criticism. The initiative, which provides a temporary living arrangement for young intensive offenders under the age of 14, has drawn sharp responses from experts and professionals in the field. Mager defended the program during an interview with Wien heute on Tuesday evening, emphasizing that voluntary measures have failed to bring about change in the past. Mager acknowledged the criticisms surrounding the project but argued that the current approach, offering voluntary support, has not yielded results. He cited his previous experiences in similar roles, stating that such methods have not led to meaningful improvements. However, he emphasized that the new model being tested in Vienna represents a novel approach. According to Mager, the concept involves temporarily removing children from their usual environments to provide them with focused care and guidance. This period would allow professionals to determine the appropriate form of support needed before implementing it. The idea is that during this time, educators and specialists would remain responsible for the children's care. Mager did not elaborate further on specific details regarding the closed facility, indicating that more information might be available later. The project aims to address the needs of children who have repeatedly committed serious offenses, offering them a structured environment for reflection and rehabilitation. Criticism of the initiative has come from prominent figures in child psychiatry and social work. Dr. Patrick Frottier, a renowned specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, described the proposal as having “grave professional deficiencies” and lacking “any pedagogical or scientific foundation.” He noted that the document does not even meet basic standards for a concept of such significance. Similarly, Julia Pollak, executive director of the Austrian Association of Social Work (OBDS), criticized the plan as a patchwork of different concepts, failing to reconcile contradictions between isolation and legal educational requirements. The legal basis for the residential group home comes from the Vienna Child and Youth Welfare Act combined with the Institutional Stay Act. The facility, located on the outskirts of Vienna, can accommodate up to two children for a maximum of twelve weeks. The annual cost of the project is nearly one million euros. Despite these financial commitments, the controversy over its effectiveness and ethical implications continues to grow. Experts argue that the proposed model lacks both theoretical and practical grounding. They question whether isolating children in a controlled environment truly addresses the root causes of their behavior or merely shifts the problem elsewhere. Some suggest that alternative approaches, focusing on community-based interventions and family support, could yield better outcomes without resorting to institutionalization. Mager remains steadfast in his support for the project, believing that traditional methods have not worked and that this new approach offers a chance to make a difference. His stance reflects a broader debate within Austria about how best to handle juvenile delinquency, balancing the need for intervention with concerns about human rights and long-term consequences for young offenders. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between policy makers, practitioners, and experts in the field of youth welfare. As discussions continue, the success or failure of the Auszeit-WG project will likely influence future approaches to dealing with juvenile crime in Vienna and beyond.
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