Time-Out Shared Apartment in Vienna

Waterbeds and Swings for Serious Offenders

Relaxing in a low-stimulus environment. This is a stock image, because the city does not allow photos of the interior of the “Auszeit” shared living space.(Bild: photoistoriia - stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

Children under 14 who injure others with knives, commit rape, or repeatedly beat others so severely they require hospitalization are not allowed to go to prison. Vienna has created a “time-out” shared apartment for them. The concept, which has now been made public, is surprising. It seems more like a wellness oasis than a facility designed to enforce discipline.

In Simmering, the so-called “time-out” shared housing facility for youth who “break the system” has recently opened. The first resident, a 13-year-old boy, left the facility as scheduled. Now the next youth is set to receive intensive care here. 

The responsible department, MA11, published the concept for the shared living arrangement on Monday—and it’s surprising. That’s because the entire facility sounds more like an oasis of well-being than a place designed to discipline dangerous, repeat offenders.

Relaxation and Body Awareness
Under the heading “Relaxation Activities,” it states literally: “There are to be a wide variety of activities here. In addition to relieving tension, these activities are intended to focus on body awareness and sensory awareness. Furthermore, the activities are intended to serve as ‘emotional nourishment.’” Specifically, this so-called “emotional nourishment” is to be achieved through a waterbed, a hanging chair, and a swing.

The building has two floors with a living area of 140 square meters. This includes: two rooms with a toilet and shower, a kitchen with a dining room, and an office for the staff who are permanently on site. 

Under the heading “Pedagogical Considerations,” the document outlines what is to take place within these 140 square meters during the stay, which lasts several weeks. “The goal of this program is to stop or reduce destructive behavior patterns.” Another goal, it states, is to learn social skills under “low-stimulus and low-stress” conditions. 

Confinement and Outings
To this end, a tiered model has been developed into which residents are placed—depending on their initial situation and progress in therapy: This ranges from a ban on leaving the building and allowing movement on the premises only when accompanied, to independent outings without supervision.

Sports are also planned, though it is not specified what kind. And the adolescents are to be cared for and treated at the facility by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a special education teacher. Cost: more than 900,000 euros per year!