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Demolition works has been commenced on construction area of Olaine’s prison new block and the technical design of buildings is in progress within the framework of the Project LV08/2

Activities within project LV08/2 are under way in order to develop therapy preconditions in prison for those who are addicted to certain substances. In addition to other significant activities, for example development of therapy techniques and staff education, environment design at the Olaine prison has also been initiated.

According to the project, convicts addicted to certain substances from different Latvian prisons will be sent to undergo therapy in a specially designed center. It will consist of three parts – two newly erected buildings and a renovated building which is not currently used. The clients will sleep and participate in both individual and group therapy in the renovated building and in one of the newly erected buildings. The second newly erected building will hold a gym and classrooms. According to the schedule, the construction will be commenced in March 2015.

Currently at the construction site demolition of unused buildings is in progress, and it will be finished in February.

Furthermore, technical design and sketches of the premises are being drawn for the building to be renovated and newly erected buildings. Thanks to the constant consultations with interdisciplinary specialists, the layout of the premises will ensure both the therapy of clients and compliance with the necessary safety requirements.

The execution of custodial sentence at the center will be organized in accordance with therapeutic community principles which are innovative in Latvia but widely and successfully used abroad. Each of the two-storey buildings providing accommodation to the convicts will consist of four mutually insulated sections or communities. Staff and client proportion within each community will contribute to the constructive relationships. Due to the aforementioned proportion and design of the premises, the clients will constantly participate in meaningful activities. These actions will allow them to initiate a change, as well as keep them motivated and ready for further therapy in specialized institutions.

When developing building technical project, special attention has been paid to the international standards and recommendations prescribing for living conditions under imprisonment.

The total area of the complex will be 5263 square meters, and no more than 200 clients will live there at the same time.

They will sleep in double cells with living area not less than 5 square meters per person. Each cell will have a shower, and toilets complying with the hygiene requirements will be installed in both the cells and common-use areas. There will be leisure areas developed near the buildings. The premises will have a suitable artificial lighting and windows providing daylight; however, due to the safety concerns, the windows will not open but adequate ventilation system will compensate that. Phone machines will be installed in the buildings for communication with relatives, but short visits will take place in the premises of the Olaine prison specially designed for such a purpose. Furthermore, the computer room and library will have a limited-access Internet connection.

While respecting both the effective enforcement of sentence and therapeutic goals, as well as compliance with the international standards, the further project will be shaped by several interconnected activities related to qualitative staff recruitment, development of up-to-date educational program and personnel education.