Vienna councillor proposes ankle monitors for child offenders

Vienna youth councillor Bettina Emmerling has proposed that the federal government introduce ankle monitors for children below the age of criminal responsibility who repeatedly commit offences, ORF reports. She told the Kronen Zeitung the measure could supplement placement in a time-out group home.

Emmerling said an ankle monitor could both deter offending and enable continuous electronic monitoring. It could be used if a child became radicalised or began committing crimes, or to track a child who left a time-out group home.

The aim, she said, should be to help children reintegrate into society, break cycles of violence and protect the public. Emmerling called for a uniform solution, while stressing that she did not want to see 10- or 12-year-olds sent to prison.