Over 3 Million Lari Spent on the Renovation of Batumi Prison # 3

Maka Malakmadze, Adjara

Rehabilitation of Batumi Prison # 3 has finished. Minister of Corrections Sozar Subari and chairman of Adjara Government Archil Khabadze opened the renovated building on April 29.

The reconstruction of the facility started on April 10, 2013 and 3, 3 million lari was spent on it.

The Minister said the renovated penitentiary establishment met European standards. “It is the first facility in Georgia, which is absolutely automated and electronically managed. Doors are opened electronically. Besides that, every spot of the building is video-recorded except cells. However, cells of the inmates under particular risks and isolation cells are equipped with video-cameras. We can easily say that it is the facility with highest standards, where all requirements are met.”

There are 230 places in Batumi Prison # 3. The Minister said 4 sq. meters is allocated for each inmate. Both accused and convicted persons are placed in the facility. There are two cells for women. The room for long-term rendezvous, medical unit and dentist office were already rehabilitated.

Chapel is only for Orthodox prisoners in the prison. Sozar Subari said, if prisoners of different religion wish, they will also have separate room for prayers.

“I am sure none of the governments wish to have overcrowded penitentiary establishments in the country, but when a person serves his/her imprisonment term, the state shall create minimum living conditions for them, where prisoners will re-consider their crime and have chance to improve. I am glad, all negative memories about Batumi prison were left in the past,” said Archil Khabadze after his visit in the prison.

In parallel to opening the renovated facility, photo-exhibition of the old facility was organized in the yard of the prison.