New Tartu Open Prison building opened

14.04.2015

On 13.04.2015 the new Tartu Open Prison was inaugurated.

Instead of the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony the prison was declared open by joining two heavy chains with a padlock. The building was consecrated by members of both the Lutheran Church and Orthodox Church.

The new prison holds 60 places, which primarily are aimed at internees from Jõgeva, Tartu, Põlva, Võru, Viljandi and Valga county. This institution holds only internees who already have a job with one of the partners of the prison or are studying. It is also very important to note that at this point the sentenced time is almost over and the internees have to be assimilated to society again.

On the first floor of the three-storied building are the workrooms of officials, the transferring chamber and the dwellings of the internees. The second floor is entirely for internees. On the men’s side rooms hold three beds. Beyond the hallway there is a bigger kitchen area where those who wish to cook can do so. In the other wing are six beds for women including a mother and child room with a separate bed for the child.

The guardroom is constructed through two floors for quick reaction. The building is also secured with many cameras.

The third floor is currently being equipped as a gym, where only the prison personnel are allowed to train. There is also a 25 m long shooting range on the third floor for guards, who previously had to use police, defence league of higher military school ranges for practice.

Amhold as the head contractor performed the design and engineering technical works for the building complex. These include the architectural, structural, interior design, heating, cooling, ventilation, water and sewage, electrical and weak current solutions. Engineering-technical and environmental surveys were also performed. Solutions for roads, parking areas and greenery were provide alongside with design and solutions for the buildings automatic, security and guarding systems. Amhold also drafted construction cost calculations and is providing supervision and consulting services for the client for the construction period.

The project manager for design and engineering works was Jaan Aru, the draft design solution was prepared by the architects of Arhitektrum Ltd, the architectural detailed design and interior design was prepared by an architect Jane Teresk and the structural part was designed by Andrei Uibukant. The rest of the project parts were designed by Amhold’s good cooperation partners.

The constructional works were performed by YIT Ehitus Ltd. The project cost was concluded at 2,6 million euros.