ExclusiveScandalin Lukianivska SIZO: prisoners have not been taken out for a walk for 2 days
23 February 07:55
Lukianivske SIZO, the legendary Kyiv prison that has seen the walls of dozens of famous prisoners, is facing major staffing problems. This was was stated by a source in the pre-trial detention centre.
It is noted that the situation with the staff is very critical. Prisoners have not been taken out for a walk for 2 days due to the lack of guards.
“People have not been taken out for a walk or to the gym for two days because there are not enough people in the detention centre,”
He specified that the salaries of the employees are very low. Accordingly, there is a staff turnover. Last month alone, 10 people quit because of low salaries.
“We were paid UAH 6,700 last month. They are joking that soon the prisoners will be given keys and they will guard themselves,”
– the source added.
What is the Lukianivka SIZO known for?
In 2017, the Ministry of Justice put up for sale the Kyiv Pre-trial Detention Centre as part of the so-called Big Prison Sale. This is a legendary prison, also commonly known as the Lukianivka Detention Centre. Its value was estimated at around $9-11 million. In this way, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine hoped to free up space in the centre of Kyiv and use the proceeds from the sale to reform the prison system. New buildings for prisoners were planned to be built outside the city.
In 2001 and 2011, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was awaiting a court decision in this pre-trial detention centre, and in 2012, former Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko was held there. In addition to them, other prominent Ukrainian politicians and officials have been held in the Kyiv pre-trial detention centre over the years, such as former MP Viktor Lozinsky, businessman Borys Kolesnikov, head of the Lviv Administrative Court of Appeal Ihor Zvarych, Interior Ministry General Oleksiy Pukach, accused of the murder of Heorhiy Gongadze, and others.