The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) approved a €177 million loan to the Romanian government for the construction of new facilities that will strengthen the country’s prison system and improve detention conditions.
Romania’s prison system, which comprises a total of 44 prison facilities and just over 22,000 detainees, is facing a space and staffing shortage and is therefore in need of modernization. The Romanian government has put a strategy in place for the period 2018-2024, with measures aimed at easing prison overcrowding and improving detention conditions.
The loan provided by the CEB will make a major contribution to governmental plans to enhance the quality and capacity of its prison facilities. More specifically, the CEB funds will be used for the construction of a high-security prison in Berceni for 1,000 places and a prison in Unguriu with a capacity of 900 places. In addition, the CEB will support the construction of facilities for prison staff, including for training and professional development, in the city of Pantelimon and also in the city of Rodbav. The design and running of the prison facilities will conform to the European Prison Rules (EPR).
In addition to benefiting inmates and staff by providing new, modern facilities, the project will help to improve Romania’s prison system and infrastructure as a whole, relieving overcrowding and ensuring that facilities adhere to best international practices and standards.
The Governor of the CEB, Mr Rolf Wenzel, expressed his satisfaction with the approval of this loan and said: “The CEB and Romania maintain an excellent cooperation in several social areas. I am pleased that this substantial loan will support the government’s plans to improve its prison facilities and strengthen compliance with international standards. A strong judiciary and an effective penitentiary system are key to upholding the rule of law, which is one of the core values of the Council of Europe and the CEB.”
Original source: CEB
Published on 19 November 2018
