New youth prison in Dreiborn comes at the earliest 2031

« It is unacceptable that minors are put into a prison for adults, » criticizes Claudia Monti in her outgoing role as an ombudsman. The problem is not new: the UNISEC in Dreiborn – currently the only facility for young criminals in Luxembourg – has long since burst at the seams. There are just twelve places there, far too little for the actual need. That is why young people always end up in the adult prison.

The UNISEC is to be expanded into a youth prison – The expansion is planned to 30 cells, 15 for female and 15 for male inmates – but Claudia Monti dampens the hopes for a quick relief. By 2027, only adaptation work on the existing structure will be carried out, Monti says at a press conference on Thursday. Only then can the actual expansion be started. So before 2031 or 2032 the new facility will not be finished.

Monti is not convinced by the location in Dreiborn anyway: « The area is far too small and actually unsuitable ». She regretted that no efforts were made to look for another location. She also has doubts as to whether the 30 cells that are now planned in Dreiborn will be sufficient. « But it looks like there is no other option. So we have to live with it ».

Difficult expansion

It is not yet clear how exactly the expansion of the system will be in Dreiborn. « We do not yet know whether the minors can stay in the UNISEC during the construction period, » Monti notes. The reason: a large part of the existing buildings in Dreiborn is to be demolished to make room for the new building. But there are other problems. Some buildings are under monument protection, and the Unisec location is also encircled by streets and a stream, which could hinder expansion work.

Despite all the open questions, Claudia Monti has clear ideas about what the future youth prison should look like. In an almost 50 pages long report The ombudsman defines guiding principles for the future facility. It is particularly important, for example, that young people have enough opportunities to do sports or at least be able to stay in the fresh air. Conditions that could only be fulfilled to a limited extent due to the lack of space in Dreiborn. « The sports field is already very limited with twelve people. Imagine it with 30 people. It will be very difficult, » said the criticism.

What shouldn’t happen: that young people like in prison in Uechterhaff can only snap fresh air in a cage on the roof. There are on the roofs of the cell blocks fenced and covered areas in which the occupants can move.

Prison not the only solution

Monti also demands that young people in Dreiborn not only take school courses – as is currently the case – but can also receive diplomas. « Unfortunately, this is not currently planned, » she regrets. « Many young people not only stay in Dreiborn for six months, but significantly longer. Then they lose several years and have no degree. » There are already appropriate options abroad. « This must also be possible in Luxembourg, » says Monti.

Contact with families or friends should also be improved and new innovative concepts such as therapy are introduced by art, the ombudsman wishes.

Monti emphasizes, however, that a youth prison is not the appropriate place for everyone. « What we absolutely need is a forensic psychiatry for minors, » said Monti. « Some young people have very serious psychiatric problems that need to be treated. A prison is not the right place for this. »