The construction of the prison in Rapotice will be twice as expensive

Rapotice (Třebíč region) - The adaptation of the former military complex into a prison with supervision in Rapotice will cost over 260 million crowns. Initial estimates were half that amount. The condition of the complex, however, is worse than originally anticipated. The contractor has recently begun the first phase of work worth 173 million crowns. The most financially demanding fencing of the extensive area and the entrance building are being constructed. About 100 prisoners are expected to arrive at the prison at the beginning of next year to participate in the construction works, stated the Deputy Director General of the Czech Prison Service, František Sejrek, to journalists today.
    "This year, the state will spend 25 million crowns on the construction of the prison. The remaining funds for the first phase should be provided next year, while the construction companies will initially finance the work," he told ČTK. After the completion of the first part of the work, approximately 250 prisoners will be housed in Rapotice. A tender for the contractor for the second phase, costing about 90 million crowns, will be announced next year, he added. The prison in Rapotice is expected to reach its full capacity of 430 places for convicts by mid-2009.
    In the first phase, in addition to the fencing and entrance building, the administrative building, logistics building will be reconstructed, a new wastewater treatment plant will be built, and accommodation for employees will be constructed. A water pipeline of about three kilometers must also be built to the water reservoir near Vysoké Popovice. The well drilled on the premises last year is capable of supplying water for only about a hundred prisoners.
    The second phase includes the reconstruction of the accommodation for prisoners, the construction of a kitchen, warehouses, and the adaptation of the production area. This will be the main benefit for local entrepreneurs. "Besides being able to acquire inexpensive labor outside the prison, they will also be able to establish their businesses in rented halls," said Karel Schmeidler, Director of the Brno Remand Prison.
    In the area of the former missile base near Rapotice, covering over 100 hectares, in addition to the prison with supervision and observation, a security prison should also be established. The new building would be financed by a private partner in a so-called pilot PPP project. The cost of this construction is estimated to be around one billion crowns. The selection of an investor is expected to take place next year.
    The new building, which the government has not yet decided on, should meet European prison standards and address the issue of overcrowding in current prison facilities. Its location, character, and mission should represent a new form of facility for serving sentences for men with the possibility of their rehabilitation. The private investor's task will be to design, build, pay for the prison, and operate it for a certain contractual period of about 25 years. Among other things, they should secure employment for 60 percent of the prisoners. The construction of the modern prison is expected to begin at the turn of 2008/2009. It should last for two years. In two phases, it should provide space for a maximum of 585 prisoners. Up to 315 employees would find work there.