Lipcani prison for juveniles could be closed

The penitentiary for juveniles in Lipcani, Briceni district, should be closed down and its population should be transferred to a former correctional school in Solonet, Soroca, proposed Deputy Prosecutor-General Eugen Rusu, Info-Prim Neo reports. Speaking at the meeting of the National Council on Child Rights Protection on Tuesday, Eugen Rusu argued the penitentiary didn't meet European and international standards for the detention of minors. According to him, cell detention should be replaced with another form of detention that would afford the minor convicts more freedom of movement within the walls of the prison. “This proposal will be formally presented at the next meeting. Meanwhile, UNICEF said they could provide financial support. We could identify other foreign donors as well”, said Rusu. Children's Ombudswoman Tamara Plamadeala said she learned from discussions with juvenile convicts that a major problem was the remote location of the Lipcani prison, this being the leading reason why their parents weren't visiting them more often. Deputy Education Minister Tatiana Poting said the proposal would be examined together with the Ministry of Justice after an assessment of the situation. Penitentiary no.2 in Lipcani is a male correctional facility that currently accommodates around 50 young delinquents.