Major construction works for the Maximum-Security State Prison Bosnia and Herzegovina are now complete. Key WBIF stakeholders (European Commission, Bilateral Donors, IFIs, and selected beneficiaries) participated in a technical site visit organised by the Ministry of Justice on 8 November 2017. 

The project was initiated in 2008 by the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, through a dedicated Project Implementation Unit, with grant and loan support from the WBIF, as well as contributions from (national) IPA 2008 and 2010, Sweden and the United States. All WBIF grant support to date has been provided by the EU through the Infrastructure Project Facility. It is the first maximum-security prison in Bosnia and Herzegovina to fully comply with European Prison Rules. 

The new detention facilities are primarily intended for a maximum of 348 defendants and inmates who are tried and/or sentenced by the State Criminal Court for war crimes and post-war crimes and corruption. The detainees will be housed in single and/or double-occupancy cells with en-suite facilities, including several for disabled access. They will have access to training/education (workshops, computers, and library) as well as sports rooms, with the purpose to assist with their reintegration into society once released. They will also benefit from regular medical care on site. 

Commissioning is expected in 2018. More details on the project can be found here.