VZCZCXRO5023
RR RUEHBW RUEHPOD
DE RUEHPOD #0120/01 0981120
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071120Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0743
INFO RUEHFT/AMCONSUL FRANKFURT 0114
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0333
RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 0137
RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA 0098
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0072
RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA 0088
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 0821

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000120 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FRANKFURT FOR RCO RUSSEL BROWN; DEPT FOR CA/OCS/ACS KINDER; DEPT 
FOR DRL/AE CORTNEY DELL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PHUM SOCI MW
SUBJECT: PRISON CONDITIONS IN MONTENEGRO 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY:  PolOff and PolAsst visited the Spuz Prison in 
Podgorica on March 24 and the Bijelo Polje Prison in 
northeastern Montenegro on March 31 to examine conditions in 
Montenegro's only two prisons.   PolOff and PolAsst found that 
conditions are substandard in terms of overcrowding and somewhat 
dilapidated facilities, particularly for those prisoners 
awaiting trial.  However, prison management is working to 
improve conditions and stated that a new prison would be built 
in the coastal town of Kotor to alleviate overcrowding at the 
prison in Podgorica.   END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
Spuz Prison 
 
----------- 
 
 
 
¶2.  Prison director Bozidar Vuksanovic (who also supervises the 
Bijelo Polje Prison) told PolOff and PolAsst that in two years 
in his position, he and his team at Spuz Prison had constructed 
two new pavilions to house convicted inmates and renovated three 
existing pavilions, built a local well (saving nearly 300,000 
Euro per year in water bills), and established re-socialization 
workshops which provide training in carpentry, metalworks, 
woodcarving, tailoring and other educational programs.  He said 
his primary goals have been to improve overall prison 
accommodations and the quality of the re-socialization programs. 
 
 
 
 
¶3. Vuksanovic admitted that prisoners awaiting trial (also known 
as "detainees"), who stay in a separate area, have experienced 
overcrowding and do not have the same access to prison 
facilities as convicted inmates.  There are typically three 
detainees in one room.  They eat in their cells as there is no 
separate dining area and must meet with their family members via 
a glass barrier.  The maximum capacity for the detention area is 
320 people; there are currently 390 prisoners in detention. 
Vuksanovic noted that the detention area is frequently 
overcrowded, especially in the summer, because cases languish in 
the legal system for an indeterminate amount of time. 
 
 
 
¶4. PolOff and PolAsst toured the prison hospital, the new 
displinary unit and the new pavilions, which will open in 
approximately two weeks. The prison hospital was equipped with a 
fully-appointed dental office, gynecological facilities, X-ray 
machine and physical therapy equipment.  The assistant prison 
director stated that there is also a separate section where 
drug-addicted prisoners are treated and live, in order to 
separate them from the general population.  The prison also has 
its own ambulance to facilitate transfer of prisoners to the 
local hospital. 
 
 
 
¶5.  The disciplinary unit housed eight large cells allowing for 
the solitary confinement of prisoners.  Three of the cells were 
used as "suicide watch" cells and are equipped with constant 
video surveillance.  Each cell also contained its own private 
bathroom. Prisoners in the disciplinary unit are committed to 
solitary confinement for a maximum of 45 days and are permitted 
two hours of exercise per day. 
 
 
 
¶6. The two new pavilions will house 120 people each.  One 
pavilion will be for minors, women and foreign nationals, and 
the second pavilion will be for prisoners with shorter 
sentences.  Each cell houses four prisoners and has its own 
bathroom, and the pavilions have a dining area with a 
television, refrigerator and tables.  Current facilities include 
a computer lab and library; prison authorities stated that 
language classes should begin shortly. 
 
 
 
¶7.  In addition to work opportunities in carpentry, metalworks, 
woodcarving and tailoring, for the last year, the prison has 
also cultivated its own greenhouse as well as the production of 
meat and eggs.  The prison director noted that locally producing 
 
PODGORICA 00000120  002 OF 002 
 
 
these items not only provided work for prisoners but has reduced 
overall food costs for the prison. 
 
 
 
¶8.  The prison director noted that nearly 2.5 tons of food per 
year was entering the prison via family visits.  Along with the 
food came a number of prohibited items, including drugs.  The 
prison established its own store where families and prisoners 
are permitted to purchase items.  By allowing purchases at the 
on-site store only, the prison director noted that they have 
eliminated confiscated items in the prison. 
 
 
 
Bijelo Polje Prison 
 
------------------- 
 
 
 
¶9.  Bijelo Polje Prison is situated in northeastern Montenegro, 
approximately a three hour drive from Podgorica.  The prison was 
built in the 1950s and currently houses 51 detainees and 64 
convicts.  While the prison does have space for up to 15 female 
prisoners, there are none at this time.  The maximum capacity is 
75 detainees and 75 convicted prisoners. 
 
 
 
¶10. Eight rooms house 51 detainees in a total area of 250 square 
meters.  There are two rooms available for female prisoners. 
The 64 convicted prisoners live in three small and three large 
rooms with a total area of 230 square meters. 
 
 
 
¶11. The organization of the facility is very similar to the 
prison in Podgorica.  The prison has a small dining room, 
kitchen, and regularly planned activities such as gardening and 
other workshops.  However, PolOff and PolAsst noted that 
facilities needed to be upgraded.  Many rooms had peeling paint, 
old and poorly appointed bathrooms and the dining room was too 
small to seat all the convicted prisoners at one time.  Prison 
management admitted that the building was due for renovation and 
stated that funds had been allocated for a new 1,500 square 
meter building to be built behind the existing one.  The new 
building would hold 70 detainees and 70 convicted prisoners as 
well as 10 female prisoners. 
 
 
 
Comment 
 
------- 
 
 
 
¶12.  Montenegro's two prisons do not meet all international 
standards set out in the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the 
Treatment of Prisoners, particularly in regard to the number of 
people per room and work opportunities for detainees, as noted 
in post's 2007 Human Rights Report. However, PolOff and PolAsst 
were impressed by the prison director's initiative and 
resourcefulness, and by prison management's apparent dedication 
to improving conditions for all prisoners.  This was also 
reflected in prison management's plans to build an additional 
prison facility in the coastal town of Kotor and the additional 
building in Bijelo Polje. 
MOORE