Photo Causes a Stir

Prison Director: “No One Has Ever Been Placed in a Cage”

This “cage” was built for an “inmate with severe mental health issues.”(Bild: Heute)

Following the criticism, the warden of the Schwarzau correctional facility in Lower Austria speaks for the first time in the “Krone” about the controversial “cage structure,” which was to be built like a playground and was rejected by her. And she speaks of a possible conspiracy.

We’re familiar with playgrounds in big cities—cages where kids run around and play soccer. Based on this concept, inmates in the metal shop at the Schwarzau Correctional Facility were supposed to weld together a similar structure. Not for playing, but essentially to “get some fresh air.” Tempers flared when the media—in the heat of the application process for the prison’s directorship—was leaked a photo from the summer of 2025.

This “cage” was built for an “inmate with severe mental health issues.”(Bild: Heute)

Personally assessed and rated “negatively”
Talk of a justice scandal quickly spread, along with claims that the interim director (who had also applied for the job) “wanted to lock an inmate in the cage.” She now speaks plainly in the “Krone”: “At no point was an inmate placed in this structure. I personally assessed her and determined she was definitely unsuitable.”

This brings the ministry, the command, and the officials into disrepute.

Manfred Arbacher-Stöger, Anwalt der Anstaltsleiterin

Bild: Eva Manhart

The project itself—namely, building an airy Funcourt—she does not deny, however. Specifically for a “person with severe mental health issues,” says the prison director, “who is said to have repeatedly exhibited behavior that is extremely self-harming and dangerous to others.” “The woman pushed the entire organization to its limits.” She is said to have flooded her cell, set it on fire—and destroyed every mirror and every piece of glass so she could slit her wrists.

Nevertheless, the inmate has the (mandated) right to “fresh air” outdoors—specifically, one hour a day. Without endangering anyone—a thing of impossibility at the Schwarzau Juvenile Detention Center, they say. The rest of the “cage” story is well known.

Lawyer speaks of a conspiracy
“This brings the ministry, the command, and the officials into disrepute,” says lawyer Manfred Arbacher-Stöger. He speaks of a “political issue” and “personal sensitivities” surrounding the prison administration. “I, a woman without party affiliation, am to be prevented,” says the interim director.