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Description
Programme outcome the project contributes to: “Improved correctional services”.
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.
The project`s goals are:
- improvement of the conditions for inmates and detainees;
- alleviate overcrowded prisons;
- strengthening the implementation of the European framework decisions, agreements and recommendations, connected with a transfer of convicted people and respecting the human rights;
- improvement of the preparation for release and better social inclusion of inmates with a focus to vulnerable groups, including Roma;
- strengthening the role of the correctional services in the justice system.
The project will include the reconstruction or refurbishment works at 6 prison locations. The project shall include, inter alia, the following activities:
- Survey of the practices and exchange of experience with Norwegian partners.
- Renovation of the prisons in Plovdiv and Bobov Dol including open prison hostels and the separation as a half-way house;
- Reconstruction and renovation of a building owned by the prison in Vratsa, designated to host the prison hostel of open type;
- Reconstruction of a building and separation of a detention centre and probation service in the town of Petrich;
- Reconstruction and repair of prison hostel of open type “Stroitel” at the prison of Burgas and its separation as a half-way house;
- Reconstruction of existing production facility in the prison of Pazardzhik into a training centre for supporting the social inclusion of prisoners.
Summary of project results
Тhe poor material conditions of prisons and detention centers were one of the most pressing challenges the project sought to resolve. Many facilities were overcrowded, outdated, and lacked the necessary infrastructure to provide a safe and humane environment for inmates. These conditions not only violated European prison standards but also created security risks for both inmates and prison staff. By modernizing and renovating these facilities, the project aimed to improve living conditions and ensure compliance with international regulations. The lack of Half way house and reintegration support posed another significant issue. Without a structured environment to support their transition back into society, many former inmates struggled to find employment, stable housing, and a sense of direction after release. The absence of such support systems led to high recidivism rates, as ex-prisoners often returned to crime due to a lack of opportunities. The introduction of halfway houses and reintegration programs was essential to providing former inmates with a stable foundation for reintegrating successfully. Another major challenge was the outdated and inadequate medical care within prisons. Many correctional facilities had medical units that lacked proper equipment, staffing, and resources to provide even the most basic healthcare services. This not only endangered the health of inmates but also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases within the prison population. The project sought to improve medical facilities and introduce modern healthcare solutions, ensuring that prisoners had access to essential medical care. The absence of proper education and professional training was also a critical issue. Many inmates lacked the skills necessary to secure employment after release, making it difficult for them to reintegrate into society. Without educational programs and professional training opportunities, prisoners were often released without the tools needed to support themselves legally, increasing their likelihood of reoffending. By introducing training centers, the project aimed to equip inmates with practical skills that would improve their employment prospects and overall chances of successful reintegration. Beyond physical conditions and inmate rehabilitation, prison management and staff training were in urgent need of improvement. The correctional system was still reliant on outdated practices that did little to promote rehabilitation or prepare inmates for life after incarceration. Prison staff lacked modern training in inmate management, conflict resolution, and rehabilitation strategies. Through collaboration with Norwegian partners, the project introduced new correctional approaches, ensuring that prison personnel were better equipped to manage inmates in a way that prioritized both security and rehabilitation. The COVID-19 pandemic presented additional unforeseen challenges. The outbreak led to delays in construction and procurement processes, as well as financial reallocations to adapt to the changing circumstances. Despite these obstacles, the project remained committed to its objectives, ensuring that planned improvements were implemented and long-term correctional reforms were achieved.
The project undertook extensive renovation and modernization of correctional facilities, significantly improving the living conditions for inmates and the working environment for prison staff. Key infrastructure projects included the reconstruction of Hebros Open Prison Hostel, the improvement of Plovdiv Prison, and the development of new arrest facilities and probation offices in Samoranovo, Vratza, Burgas, and Petrich. These upgrades ensured that detention centers complied with European prison standards, making them safer and more functional. A major component of the project was the creation of transitional housing units, or halfway houses, designed to assist inmates nearing the end of their sentences. These facilities provided structured living arrangements where inmates could gradually reintegrate into society with the support of social workers and reintegration programs. By offering a stable transition period, the project significantly reduced the risk of reoffending, helping former inmates establish independent and law-abiding lives. The project also modernized prison healthcare services, ensuring that inmates had access to adequate medical care. Several outdated medical units were renovated and equipped with modern medical tools, improving healthcare standards within the correctional system. These improvements helped prevent the spread of diseases and ensured that prisoners received appropriate medical attention, contributing to their overall well-being. In addition to infrastructure improvements, the project focused on education and professional training as a key element of rehabilitation. A specialized training center was established in Pazardzhik, providing inmates with opportunities to acquire new skills that would help them secure employment upon release. Through professional training programs, inmates were given the tools to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into the workforce, reducing the risk of recidivism. To improve the management of correctional institutions, the project facilitated cooperation with Norwegian partners, allowing for the exchange of expertise and best practices. Norwegian correctional experts conducted multiple visits to Bulgaria, assessing the progress of reforms and sharing insights on modern prison management. These exchanges led to improvements in prison administration, inmate rehabilitation approaches, and staff training programs, ensuring a more effective and humane correctional system. The project also emphasized public awareness and transparency, ensuring that all major milestones—such as facility renovations, training programs, and collaborative efforts with Norwegian experts—were properly documented and shared through media channels. By making the process visible to the public, the project promoted accountability and increased awareness of the efforts being made to modernize Bulgaria’s prison system. Despite the challenges, particularly those related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project successfully transformed multiple correctional facilities, introduced rehabilitation-focused reforms, and laid the groundwork for a more humane and effective prison system.
The project significantly improved the conditions in Bulgarian prisons and detention centers, directly benefiting inmates by creating safer, cleaner, and more humane living environments. By renovating key correctional facilities and aligning them with European standards, the project ensured that prisoners were housed in spaces that met basic human rights requirements. This reduced overcrowding and enhanced overall security, leading to a more stable prison environment. One of the most impactful outcomes was the creation of transitional housing units that provided structured reintegration support for inmates preparing for release. These halfway houses offered a controlled environment where individuals could gradually transition back into society while receiving guidance on employment, housing, and social adaptation. This initiative directly benefited former inmates by reducing the risk of reoffending and increasing their chances of successfully reintegrating. The modernization of prison medical facilities was another major achievement, improving healthcare access for inmates and ensuring that medical needs were properly addressed. By equipping prisons with modern medical infrastructure and resources, the project enhanced overall healthcare quality and helped prevent the spread of diseases within the prison population. This not only benefited inmates but also improved working conditions for prison medical staff, allowing them to provide better care in a more functional environment. The introduction of training programs created new opportunities for inmates, equipping them with skills that would improve their employment prospects after release. The establishment of the training center in Pazardzhik played a key role in preparing inmates for reintegration by offering courses in various trades and professions. These training programs benefited both inmates and society, as better-prepared former prisoners were less likely to return to crime and more likely to become productive members of the workforce. Prison staff also saw direct benefits from the project, particularly through training programs and knowledge exchange with Norwegian experts. Correctional officers received updated training in modern inmate management techniques, rehabilitation strategies, and conflict resolution, allowing them to perform their duties more effectively. The introduction of best practices in prison management helped create a more structured and rehabilitative correctional environment, benefiting both staff and inmates. Beyond the direct improvements to correctional facilities and rehabilitation programs, the project had a broader societal impact by contributing to greater public safety and a more efficient justice system. By addressing key issues such as recidivism, inadequate healthcare, and poor prison conditions, the project helped create a correctional system that focused not just on punishment, but on rehabilitation and reintegration. This benefited society as a whole, reducing crime rates and improving the overall effectiveness of Bulgaria’s criminal justice system. Despite initial challenges, including delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project successfully introduced meaningful reforms that transformed Bulgarian prisons into safer, more modern, and rehabilitative institutions. By improving infrastructure, expanding reintegration opportunities, and professionalizing prison management, it laid the foundation for a more sustainable and effective correctional system, benefiting inmates, prison staff, and society as a whole.
Summary of bilateral 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.