Video and audio prisoner surveillance systems could be installed in some of the penitentiaries in Moldova by the end of this year. Thus, the prison officers would follow the situation through monitors, director of the National Administration of Penitentiaries Aureliu Sahan stated in the hearings held by the Parliament’s commission on national security, defense and public order, IPN reports.
Aureliu Suhan said almost 2 million lei is needed to outfit all the penitentiaries with video and audio surveillance systems. In August, the Ministry of Finance is to allocate money for the purchase of equipment through foreign projects. “We are on the point of launching tender contests so as to achieve particular results by this yearend,” he stated.
According to the director, the new systems will help reduce the number of cases of illegal bringing of banned objects and substances to prisoners and will prevent secret agreements between prisoners and guards. The bringing of banned objects and substances becomes a rather serious problem for the penitentiary system. A part of these objects are brought in with the consent and participation of prison officers.
Aureliu Suhan noted the number of complaints about the food served in jails has decreased. The menus in prisons for a year have contained meat, fish, butter, milk, eggs and other basic necessities. “The necessary minimum is ensured at an appropriate level,” he stated.
The director also said that the penitentiary system is in need of 345 employees. The cardiovascular and oncological diseases and tuberculosis are among the diseases that cause most of deaths among detainees. Some 80% of the diseases are brought from outside the penitentiary system. As the quality of medical services in the system leaves to be desired, the diseases worsen.
Asked by commission members about the building of the new penitentiary in Chisinau, Aureliu Suhan said the construction works are over a year late. The company contracted to think up the project documentation tried to modify the conditions imposed by the backers and the discrepancies led to delays.
