With the opening of the new prison in Liepaja, a number of outdated prisons will be closed. Among them is the Griva branch of the Daugavgriva prison in Daugavpils, where 780 inmates are housed in cells that do not meet modern prison standards, public media reports.
The outdated infrastructure cannot guarantee safety, privacy, and compliance with hygiene requirements. The Griva prison is already preparing for changes, and the building itself is no longer needed by the Ministry of Justice.
The Griva branch of the Daugavgriva prison is located in an old building constructed in the 19th century. This defensive structure was once intended to protect against the Napoleonic army, but after the restoration of Latvia's independence, it was converted into a prison with cells.
The last internal renovation was carried out less than 10 years ago. The corridor leading to the prison cells is barred. The cells are large—on average, they house 15 people. This leads to relationship problems and regular conflicts, said the head of the Daugavgriva prison, Ingus Mickevičs. In addition to hygiene issues and the inability to ensure privacy, there is another significant risk—the formation of a so-called subculture. The presence of large cells creates a favorable environment for this, making it more difficult for staff to adhere to certain procedures and ensure that the subculture does not spread. Of course, there is also the dissemination of various information, which would be undesirable among prisoners, added the State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mikhail Papsuievich.
Modern European Council standards provide for the placement of only two inmates in one cell, so next year, some prisoners will be transferred to the newly built Liepaja prison. Where the others will be transferred is still being decided.
"The new prison in Liepaja will create more favorable conditions not only for clients but also for staff," Mickevičs said.
The Daugavgriva prison has two divisions—the Daugavpils and Griva divisions. It employs 500 staff members. With the closure of the Griva division, the number of employees will be reduced by about half. Mickevičs and some staff members from the Griva division will not lose their jobs, as they will continue to work at the Daugavpils prison, which will not be closed. Some are seeking new positions in the State Police, State Border Guard, and other prisons, said the prison chief.
