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Programme LV08 “Reform of the Latvian Correctional Services and Police Detention Centres”

According to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 between the Republic of Latvia and the Kingdom of Norway, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia as Programme Operator implements the programme LV08 “Reform of the Latvian Correctional Services and Police Detention Centres” within the priority sector Justice and Home Affairs.

The programme aims to improve the system of correctional services in compliance with international and European human rights through cooperation with the relevant institutions in Norway and other countries. The implementation of the programme promotes bilateral relations between Latvia and Norway.

Within the programme the Ministry of Justice of Latvia as Programme Operator in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior of Latvia as Programme Partner will implement three pre-defined projects. Norwegian Correctional Services and the Council of Europe will participate as donor programme partners.

The three pre-defined projects are:

1. Increasing the application of alternatives to imprisonment (incl. possible pilot project on electronic surveillance) – the Project Promoter is the State Probation Service of Latvia;
2. New unit at Olaine prison, including construction and staff training – the Project Promoter is Latvian Prison Administration;
3. Improving the standard of Latvian State police detention centres, including activities aimed at improving infrastructure, reducing/abolishing the current practice of administrative detention, changing the practice of returning remand prisoners for further investigation, ensuring adequate training for staff working at police detention facilities – the Project Promoter is the State Police of Latvia.

The objectives of the pre-defined projects are:

• Refurbishment of prisons and detention facilities to bring the standard living-space of prisoners in line with international standards; increasing the use of alternatives to imprisonment by reforming the system of conditional release on parole and introducing an additional measure in the form of electronic monitoring;
• Improving the competence of prisoners and prison staff by training;
• Enhancing measures that assist vulnerable prisoners to overcome their drug addiction by building a drug-rehabilitation unit in one of the larger prisons.

The total amount of funds available for the programme amounts to 15 360 000 EUR, of which 13 056 000 EUR has been provided by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the rest – 2 304 000 EUR – has been granted from the State budget of Latvia.

Chronological review of the programme-related decisions and documentation

• On December 20, 2011 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Draft Regulation prepared by the Ministry of Justice of Latvia on the Application Project about the Programme LV08 „Reform of the Latvian Correctional Services and Police Detention Centers” financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.
• On December 28, 2011 the Cabinet of Ministers issued instruction No. 689 on the Application Project about the Programme LV08 „Reform of the Latvian Correctional Services and Police Detention Centers”, thus accepting further elaboration of the programme.
• In December 2011 the Ministry of Finance as a National Focal Point submitted the Application of the Programme LV08 „Reform of the Latvian Correctional Services and Police Detention Centers”, financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and prepared by the Ministry of Justice, to the Financial Mechanism Office for evaluation and decision on its approval or rejection.
• On November 12, 2012 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway approved the programme LV08 „Reform of the Latvian Correctional Services and Police Detention Centers”.