The deadline for a call for bids to build a new prison in Chisinau’s suburbs has been extended until June 24. The extension was requested by the prospective bidders to allow more time to prepare the proposals according to the requirements, which are said to be very complex.

The 2019 State Budget has earmarked about 160 million lei for the project. Only 14.5 million lei of the total amount is the government’s contribution, as the remainder comes from foreign sources.

The new prison is designed to have five separate compartments: the main cell block, a transfer block, a medical facility, an admission zone and the administrative block. Two parking lots, one for the administration and one for the visitors, will be also provided.

The new facility will be located at the entrance to the suburban village fo Bubuieci, on a plot of 36 hectares.

Moldova has 17 prisons which, as of 31 December 2018, held nearly 7,000 inmates.