Bulgarian Prisons Receive BGN 8 M Boost

Bulgarian prisons experience severe shortage of funds. Photo by BGNES

The Bulgarian GERB cabinet decided Wednesday to slate an additional BGN 8 M for the country's prison system in order to secure the normal functioning of the detention centers.

From the funds, BGN 4 M would be used for prison maintenance and the rest – for severance payments to discharged jail employees.

The cabinet's press release points out Bulgarian prisons suffer from severe shortage of funds despite the measures to cut expenses. There isn't enough money for food, medications, and medical care while the staggering debt to suppliers obstructs the delivery of goods and services and impedes the normal functioning of the system.

The unfavorable work conditions, the daily stress triggered by the specifics of the job, the pending retirement reform have triggered mass leaving of employees and serious problems in paying the owed compensations.

For all of the above reasons, the Council of Ministers has approved a decree to slate additional funds from the 2010 budget for the Justice Ministry to assure better conditions for the daily functioning of Bulgaria's prisons.

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