New security system introduced in the largest pre-trial detention facility in Kyrgyzstan

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has a long standing partnership with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to support the implementation of penal reform initiatives in accordance with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules). Within this framework, UNODC has been assisting the State Service of Execution of Punishment (SSEP) of the Kyrgyz Republic with the development of policies and piloting of practical solutions to improve prison security management.

In April 2016, UNODC and the Prison Service officially opened renovated entrance facilities at the country's largest pre-trial detention facility in Bishkek.  For the first time a detention facility has been equipped with a modern X-ray system for the inspection of personal belongings of visitors and packages for prisoners.

  • The  pre-trial detention facility in Bishkek was  built in 1943
  • It is the largest pre-trial detention facility in the country housing over 1,300 people
  • Daily the pre-trial detention facility checks in over a 100 visitors and around 200 packages for prisoners

In their speeches, Mr. Orozbek Enteriev, First Deputy Chairman of the SSEP, and Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, expressed hope that this pilot initiative will demonstrate enhanced security at the entrance of one of the most challenging prison in the country.

The renovation of the entrance checkpoint and room for the inspection of parcels was done with the financial support of the US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), main project donor. The renovation, training of prison staff and improvement of policies for prison security management, are implemented within the framework of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2015-2019, sub-program 3 "Criminal Justice, Crime Prevention and Integrity".