Ensuring safe and secure conditions in places of detention

About this project

<p>Programme outcome the project contributes to: “Improved correctional services”.</p> <p>The project will support the efforts of Bulgaria to fulfil the international standards related to places of detention established in the conventions and the recommendations of the Council of Europe with the aim to guarantee better conditions of life and work.</p> <p>The project`s goals are:</p> <ul> <li>improvement of the conditions for inmates and detainees; &nbsp;</li> <li>alleviate overcrowded prisons; &nbsp;</li> <li>strengthening the implementation of the European framework decisions, agreements and recommendations, connected with a transfer of convicted people and respecting the human rights;</li> <li>improvement of the preparation for release and better social inclusion of inmates with a focus to vulnerable groups, including Roma; &nbsp;</li> <li>strengthening the role of the correctional services in the justice system.</li> </ul> <p>The project will include the reconstruction or refurbishment works at 6 prison locations. The project shall include, inter alia, the following activities:</p> <ul> <li>Survey of the practices and exchange of experience with Norwegian partners.&nbsp;</li> <li>Renovation of the prisons in Plovdiv and Bobov Dol including open prison hostels and the separation as a half-way house;</li> <li>Reconstruction and renovation of a building owned by the prison in Vratsa, designated to host the prison hostel of open type;</li> <li>Reconstruction of a building and separation of a detention centre and probation service in the town of Petrich;</li> <li>Reconstruction and repair of prison hostel of open type “Stroitel” at the prison of Burgas and its separation as a half-way house;</li> <li>Reconstruction of existing production facility in the prison of Pazardzhik into a training centre for supporting the social inclusion of prisoners.</li> </ul>

Bilateral cooperation results

The bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (NFM) 2014-2021 has significantly improved prison conditions and justice sector reforms. Through the project Ensuring a Secure and Safe Material Environment in Prisons and Arrest Facilities, both countries worked together to modernize detention centers, enhance reintegration programs, and align Bulgaria’s correctional system with European standards. Norwegian experts played a key role, conducting working visits to Bulgaria in 2022 and 2023 to share best practices on prison management and rehabilitation. Their participation in the April 2024 closing conference further strengthened the partnership. The project led to major infrastructure upgrades, including renovated detention centers, four new transitional housing units (halfway houses), and an expanded pre-trial detention capacity of 60 places. Prison medical centers were also modernized, improving healthcare services for inmates. Beyond physical improvements, the project facilitated policy exchange, incorporating Norwegian expertise into Bulgaria’s correctional reforms. This strengthened institutional cooperation and promoted long-term change. Despite challenges such as COVID-19-related delays and procurement issues, flexible management ensured the successful completion of key activities. This collaboration not only improved prison conditions but also reinforced Bulgaria-Norway relations, demonstrating a shared commitment to European human rights standards. The success of this initiative lays a strong foundation for future cooperation in justice sector reforms.

Project partners

• Åna Prison Donor project partner· Norway