Riots in Pravieniškės again: some were looking for fugitive prisoners, others – besieging those intoxicated by alcohol

The officials working in Pravieniškės do not hide the fact that the current situation in the prison is quite complicated, they face considerable challenges, because only the convicts who have to return to the prison do not follow the rules and even try to demonstrate their powers.

Delphi Last week, videos made by convicts were posted on mobile phones of inmates stunned by a homemade psychotropic substance called ‘cobra’ (also known as ‘chimke’). Following the disclosure of these records, a wave of indignation was generated among some convicts, claiming that this situation could worsen their detention conditions. However, this is not a concern for all convicts incarcerated in the open colony; some of them had a lot of fun last weekend with fewer officers in prison.

Employees of the Pravieniškės Correctional Center say that last Friday night the caretakers were forced to use physical violence against the two convicts, not only did they fail to comply with the officers’ legal demands, but also resisted. Both convicts raging in prison were intoxicated.

On Saturday night, officials had trouble with two other convicts, who arrived at 7 p.m. on time. – did not return to prison from work. The agents tried to contact the inmates by mobile phone (prisoners in open prison can have them if they get permission from the institution’s administration), but they were not able to do so immediately. It was eventually established that both convicts had gone to Jonava, where the refugees were detained by local police officers.

These prisoners were also intoxicated: when they were brought to Pravieniškės, 0.85% was recorded for one and 1.25% for the other. drunkenness.

The fun in the open colony continued on Sunday around 3 p.m. An officer guarding the open area of ​​the colony noticed how a man who had arrived at the prison handed a half-liter bottle of vodka to an inmate. Officials reacted immediately to this violation: the “consignor” was arrested and the vodka taken from the “consignee”.

The management of Pravieniškės prison declares that it will not accept violations committed by prisoners: Contracts with labor organizations will also be reviewed to ensure supervision of prisoners during short trips, etc. “

Some 200 convicted men and 7 women are currently serving their sentences in the open colony of the Pravieniškės prison. In this penitentiary, people convicted of negligent crimes and intentional crimes whose imprisonment does not exceed one year, will be served by convicted persons.

Since amendments to the Penal Enforcement Code came into force in July, convicts who have served their sentences in a small group in a correctional facility with a maximum of one year before possible parole have also served their sentences in a colony. open, as well as if the condemned are behaving well. , do not have sanctions in force and implement the measures established in the individual social rehabilitation plan, as well as if the risk of their criminal behavior is low or this risk has been clearly reduced during the execution of the sentence.

The evaluation of the statutory categories of convicts who should serve their sentences in an open colony suggests that there may be only those who do not cause more concern in the open colony, perhaps even positive people who have violated the rules of the penal code but are not dangerous to the society. partial supervision, – pointed out the representatives of the penitentiary establishments, – but recent events show that people sentenced to the sentence in the slightest conditions of supervision do not value trust “.

According to the prison administration, after the reforms to the law, all convicts who comply with the provisions of the Penitentiary Code are automatically referred to open colonies, without even taking into account the risk of recidivism, behavior during previous convictions or convictions.

“This generates a situation where the open colony includes people with disciplinary sanctions in force for serious and very serious violations, systematic violations of the order established in the institutions and endangering the staff of the open colony,” says the prison administration.

Two convicts died last week at the Pravieniškės Correctional Institution, it is still being investigated whether their deaths are related to drug use. The convicts are constantly trying to dump various prohibited items in the prison sectors, not only mobile devices, but also drugs.

“It is not impossible for inmates living in an open colony to acquire narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, since they remain unprotected, they can move freely in designated areas, leave the territory of the open colony,” recognized the Department of Prisons. Delphi issues. “It is not uncommon for people in an open colony to lend a ‘friendly’ hand and their family members to receive narcotic and psychotropic substances.”

According to the representatives of the department, this situation is especially complicated in the open neighborhood of Pravieniškės, because currently the majority of people are here, almost 200, most of whom are addicted to alcohol or other psychoactive substances.

“Methadone treatment is provided to three people, alcoholics and drug addicts are anonymous, prisoners can also attend classes in free rehabilitation institutions and psychological centers, but most people come to the open colony for short sentences of 4 or 5 months, so wait these people will become independent, it would be naive “, it is pointed out Delphi in the reply sent.

The Department of Prisons highlighted that the prison administration periodically carries out various preventive measures (searches, unannounced inspections, etc.), but that “they are ephemeral.”

“Therefore, we call on the Ministry of Justice to find systematic solutions to this situation,” the department said.

In the last two weeks alone, several pre-trial investigations into narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances have been launched, including searches and other preventive measures.

This year, in the open settlement of Pravieniškės, convicts were tested for drug use 72 times, 34 of which were positive. In addition, 55 cases of alcohol consumption were identified.

“There are disciplinary sanctions for alcohol consumption, sanctions for the use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances established in the Code of Administrative Offenses, the inclusion of convicted persons or addicts in the records of people who consume psychoactive substances, additional restrictions and stricter supervision” . .

Minister of Justice: naive in expecting quick change

The new Justice Minister Evelina Dobrovolska discussed the situation in the Pravieniškės prison with the direction of the Department of Prisons last week, but at least so far no bold measures are being taken; liability for the disorder will not apply.

“The problems in prisons, which are occasionally highlighted in public, are not new,” Dobrovolska said according to the report. – Today there will be no quick and cardinal solutions and it would be naive to expect that – we have analyzed and identified the biggest problems, whatever they may be – dizziness in prisons, employment or simply lack of vision. When looking for solutions, we must pay close attention to the psychological and mental health of both those convicted who behave incorrectly and the officials who face it on a daily basis. I only see one way: maximum openness and constant change based on a clear strategy. “

“The situation in our institutions requires systematic and complex solutions,” said Virginijus Kulikauskas, Director of the Department of Prisons. – I do not mean only to record and prevent this type of case. It is necessary to change the very concept of the penitentiary model and that work is already underway. In the near future, we will present to the public the vision of a new model focused on effective re-socialization ”.