The penitentiary sector in North Macedonia was characterised by overcrowded, outdated infrastructure, lack of maintenance, improper treatment of inmates, lack of training and educational programs, and lack of institutional arrangements and management capacity, among other issues.
To overcome this situation, the Government took actions to develop and upgrade the penitentiary infrastructure and the institutional capacity of the correctional-educational system. This will improve not only the living conditions of the inmates but the working conditions of the staff in the framework of the respect of human rights in line with European standards and prison rules.
The investment concerned the reconstruction of four selected penitentiary facilities split into two segments: i) Segment 1 covered the investments in Kumanovo Penal Correctional Facility, Idrizovo Penal Correctional Facility (Phase I) and Tetovo Juvenile Educational Correctional Facility; and ii) Segment 2 covered the investments planned for the Idrizovo (Phase II and III), and Skopje Prison facilities.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Justice proposed an adjusted concept for Segment 2 to relocate the previously planned Skopje Remand Unit (formerly to be the standalone Skopje Prison) to the Idrizovo Complex. This was adopted, and the list of facilities for reconstruction included:
WBIF has provided continuous technical assistance to support the project preparation and implementation. This TA grant, the third in a row, continued assisting the PIU in all aspects and crucial activities needed during the remaining implementation phase of the restructured project’s Segment 1. The aim was to build the PIU capacities to manage and coordinate project activities so that the PIU staff can independently handle similar activities and project management tasks in the future.
Additionally, technical assistance was needed for preparatory activities ahead of the implementation of the project’s restructured Segment 2, particularly in view of the fact that the costs and technical aspects of proposed works had to be reviewed to ensure that the solutions proposed are optimal and in line with the actual needs of the MoJ and the EPR recommendations.
