LIEPAJA, April 17 (LETA) - The new Liepaja Prison is a long-term state investment that will not only strengthen the penal system but also contribute to overall public security in Latvia, Dmitrijs Kalins, Head of the Prison Administration, said at the inauguration of the prison on Friday.

He stressed that this day marks a historic turning point in Latvia's penal system and the opening of the new prison is the result of a long and determined effort.

The new facility is the most technologically advanced in the Latvian prison system. The administration's task is to help inmates return to society as its full members, which is why the new prison is a long-term investment by the state to strengthen the penal enforcement system, Kalins said.

In her opening speech, Justice Minister Inese Libina-Egnere (New Unity) also drew attention to the new prison's wide possibilities to apply the principles of resocialization to enable people to change their lives. The new prison also fully meets human rights requirements.

The justice minister noted that at present, inmates from the old Liepaja Prison have been transferred to the new facility, but transfers from Jelgava Prison and the Griva Division of Daugavgriva Prison will continue.

The minister emphasized to the media the role of technology at the new prison, which will allow staff to focus on changing the behavior patterns of inmates and resocialization. This means there will be 450 staff members for 1,200 inmates.

"Those who end up in prison have broken lives, but we want inmates who wish to change their behavior patterns to find their place in society when they are released. Every person who has come here deserves a chance to change, and the state will provide the conditions for them to do so. But the decision to change is up to each individual," the justice minister stressed.

Asked whether there are any concerns that the general price hikes will push up inmates' maintenance costs, the minister repeatedly stressed that security in the new prison will be largely ensured by technology. At the same time, the prison has been built as an energy-efficient complex.

As reported, the new Liepaja Prison at 29 Alsungas Street, Liepaja, began operating at the beginning of February.

The new Liepaja Prison can accommodate 1,200 inmates. The whole complex consists of six different buildings. The total area of the site is 305,116 square meters, with a total planned floor area of approximately 37,400 square meters.

During this year, inmates from prisons in Jelgava and Daugavpils will also be transferred to the new Liepaja Prison.