Riga, Sept 22 (LETA) - Three prisons might be closed after the new Liepaja prison opens and starts its work - not only the existing Liepaja prison, but also Jelgava prison, as well as the Griva branch of Daugavgriva prison, Justice Ministry's State Secretary Mihails Papsujevics told journalists.

He said that the first inmates would be admitted to the new prison in March next year, but until then the prison staff would have to acquire practical knowledge about working in the new prison.

The first prison to be closed will be the existing Liepaja prison, Papsujevics said, adding that at the beginning, the ministry will assess whether the prison complex should be preserved for other needs of the ministry. Later, the prison could be offered to the municipality, but if that fails, the old Liepaja prison could be put up for auction.

The Jelgava prison is also planned to be closed in the middle of next year, and the Griva branch of Daugavgriva prison a little later.

The state secretary pointed out that the new Liepaja prison is built for men only, so there are plans to move the Ilguciems women's prison to Cesis. However, the necessary funding must be received for this to happen, he said.

Papsujevics revealed that there are currently no plans to build other new prison complexes, but new blocks could be built in existing prisons to meet all human rights standards.

As reported, on Monday in Liepaja, commissioning for the new Liepaja prison complex was held.

The new Liepaja prison, completed ahead of schedule and just put into operation, has been built, saving of EUR 5.3 million. The prison was completed on August 28.

The construction works were carried out by Citrus Solutions. The contract was concluded for EUR 125,874,569, excluding value added tax.

The new Liepaja prison will accommodate 1,200 inmates. The whole complex will comprise 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.