prijava
SARAJEVO, July 22 (FENA) - The Institute for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, Detention and Other Measures of Bosnia and Herzegovina was opened today in Vojkovići, in East Sarajevo, and is the first prison at the state level.
This Institute could receive the first prisoners in the fall if there are no unforeseen problems, announced State Minister of Justice Josip Grubeša, who together with the head of the European Union Delegation and EU Special Representative to BiH Johann Sattler officially opened the prison premises.
The prison complex is located in an area of 24,000 square meters, and each cell in which one prisoner will be accommodated has an area of 12 square meters. The construction and operation of the state prison are fully in line with European prison rules and standards.
Grubeša emphasized that the opening of the prison is a strategic priority of the Ministry and that he is satisfied with the work done, although the project has been accompanied by numerous problems from the beginning.
But, he pointed out, the responsible engagement of the staff yielded results.
“After the employees go through the training, we expect the reception of the first inmates,” said Grubeša.
Sattler said that the efficient operation of the state prison helps the work of the Court and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH and contributes to the stability of BiH.
“The general perception of impunity causes great damage to the work of the judiciary,” Sattler emphasized and added that the importance of the rule of law is clear and that without steps forward there are no steps on the European path. He also emphasized that the funds for this project undoubtedly went to the right address.
With the realization of the planned project, BiH gets maximum security prison capacities, a capacity of 348 places, of which 298 for prisoners and 50 for detainees.
The construction was financed by a loan from the Council of Europe Development Bank in the amount of 19.3 million euros. BiH invested 6.45 million euros, EU donations amounted to 9.15 million euros, European Commission technical assistance 1.7 million euros, Sweden's donation was two million euros, and the US government provided 1.1 million dollars for training prison staff.
This prison will significantly relieve the entity's prison capacity and solve the problem of overcrowding.
According to the systematization, the state prison will employ about 280 staff.
(FENA) L. N.
