The Institute for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, Detention and Other Measures of Bosnia and Herzegovina was opened Wednesday in Vojkovici, near East Sarajevo, and it is the first prison of this kind in the country.

This institution could receive its first tenants as early as autumn, if there are no unforeseen issues, said State Justice Minister Jospi Grubesa, who together with the head of the European Union Delegation and EU Special Representative in Bosnia Johann Sattler officially opened the prison premises.

The prison complex covers 24,000 square meters, and each cell in which one prisoner will be accommodated has an area of 12 square meters. The construction and operation of the state prison are fully in line with European prison rules and standards.

Ambassador Sattler said that the efficient operation of the state prison helps the work of the Court and the Prosecutor's Office and contributes to the stability of Bosnia.

“The general perception of impunity inflicts great damage to the work of the judiciary,” Sattler said, adding that the importance of the rule of law is clear and that without breakthroughs in this field there will be no breakthroughs on the European path.

He also emphasized that the funds for this project undoubtedly went to the right address.

With the realization of the planned project, BiH gets maximum security prison capacities, a capacity of 348 holding places, of which 298 for prisoners and 50 for detainees.

The prison construction was financed by a loan from the Council of Europe's Development Bank in the amount of €19.3 million. Bosnia invested €6.45 million, EU donations amounted to € 9.15 million, European Commission's technical assistance amounted to €1.7 million, while Sweden donated €2 million, and the US government provided $ 1.1 million for the training of prison staff.