Prison complex in Blažuj should be opened next year, EU calls on FBiH Government to complete remaining activities

(Patria) - The project of building the prison complex in Blažuj began in September 2021. To date, it has not been put into operation, except for building B with a capacity of 55 places, which will house detainees from the already existing dilapidated facility in Blažuj.

The director of the Sarajevo Correctional Facility, Munib Isaković, said on July 3 during the opening of building B that construction works on building C were completed and that they had submitted a request for a use permit for this facility. However, new hirings of prison police officers need to be approved, public procurements need to be carried out, and expectations are that everything will be completed next year.

The construction of this detention complex was designed with the aim of increasing capacity and relocating the detention facility from the city center. The capacity of building C is 150 places, with a fire alarm system, security systems, access control and movement system, inside and outside the facility, a walking path, and a security belt.

The facility of the Correctional Facility "Miljacka" with a capacity of 140 places was previously evacuated, and the reconstruction of the Palace of Justice building began to provide additional space for the Municipal and Cantonal Court. That facility is also being renovated with the help of European Union funds, in cooperation with the Sarajevo Canton. Occupancy is also expected next year.

Regarding the construction of the prison facility in Blažuj, the EU Delegation confirmed to Patria that the European Union provided funds in the amount of 4.6 million euros for the relocation of detention facilities from Sarajevo to the new location, thereby moving them out of the city center, which did not have sufficient capacity to improve the accommodation of persons in detention before and during trial, in a way that ensures a higher degree of security and protection of human rights.

“The EU financed the construction of the detention facility complex at the foot of Mount Igman, in Blažuj near Sarajevo, including the conceptual design, execution of construction works on a new and modern detention complex for 150 detainees, consisting of four buildings, including audio-video surveillance systems, expert supervision of the works, and furnishing of the administrative building. The works financed by the EU were completed in September 2023, and the entire complex was formally handed over to the authorities after the expiration of the one-year warranty period in September 2024,” the EU states.

All activities were carried out in close cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was responsible for securing the location with appropriate utility connections, the main project, landscaping works, equipment and furniture for the central detention facility, i.e., the main building, as well as obtaining all use permits.

“We encourage the authorities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to complete all remaining activities within their competence and thus enable the final completion of the complex, as well as its full operationalization. When fully operational, the complex will have a visitation department, admission and discharge units, a health department, activity and program departments, a central kitchen, service and technical rooms, a prison administration area, a prison police zone, exercise yards, and a security zone around the entire complex. The aforementioned falls under the responsibility of the authorities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the EU Delegation states.

They emphasize that this project is part of broader efforts aimed at strengthening the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina and improving the integrity of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.
“Since 2016, the EU has provided Bosnia and Herzegovina with 12.8 million euros for the reconstruction and construction of prison/detention facilities, as well as over 11 million euros for the construction and equipping of the state prison in Vojkovići, which opened in 2020.”

The influx of detainees due to reduced capacities in Sarajevo has increased in other detention units and prisons, most notably in the Zenica Correctional Facility. Detainees have also been transported to other institutions, which increases the costs of bringing them before the court, thus highlighting the need for the earliest possible opening of this complex in Blažuj.

The construction of the entire complex cost 20 million KM.