Minister rejects easing security rules at Liepaja prison

Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns said, in comments reported by LSM, that the new Liepaja prison meets Latvian and international requirements and that authorities will not compromise on security while respecting prisoners’ rights.

Smiltēns said prisoners’ complaints were being investigated and that he was confident their rights were being upheld. He said the reported hunger strike involved prisoners refusing food provided by the prison, rather than completely refraining from eating, as they could buy food at the prison shop and consume food they had purchased themselves.

He said prisoners were provided with outdoor walks in line with regulations, for at least one hour a day. Mechanical ventilation was used to ensure air quality in the cells, the system was maintained according to requirements and no defects had been found.

According to Smiltēns, prisoners’ objections mainly concerned the fact that the cell windows could not be opened. He said this was an intentional security measure, not a construction error, designed to prevent unauthorised communication between cells, the circulation of prohibited items and other manifestations of prison subculture.

Smiltēns said resistance to the new arrangements had been expected because some prisoners were used to the environment and informal rules of older prisons. He said refusing prison food, resocialisation activities or taking part in other collective protests could be attempts to restore the previous order.

The prison administration was continuing its dialogue with prisoners and examining each complaint, he said. Any shortcomings found would be addressed, but the state would not retreat from security requirements or its goal of reducing the influence of prison subculture.

“The dignity and rights of prisoners must be respected, but lawful enforcement of sentences and public safety are not up for discussion,” Smiltēns said.

Earlier, Latvian Television reported that several prisoners at the new Liepaja prison had declared a hunger strike in protest against limited opportunities to go outdoors. The prisoners said that several dozen people had refused the prison’s food and that the hunger strike had lasted almost a week.