Czechia to Build its First Open Prison for Women

Construction on Czechia’s first open prison for women will start next fall, bringing a new approach to rehabilitation and reintegration for female inmates.

Located in Velké Přílepy, just outside Prague, this facility will accommodate up to thirty women and aims to provide a supportive environment to ease the transition back to society. The project is part of a broader effort to reform the Czech penal system.

Markéta Prunerová, spokesperson for the Prison Service, confirmed that they are currently securing the building permits for the new facility.

“We’re in the final stages of obtaining the permits,” she shared with Radiožurnál. “The construction is expected to take approximately 11 months, with the project completion targeted for the fall of 2026. The total budget is estimated at 78 million CZK,” Prunerová added.

A Proven Model of Rehabilitation

The Czech Republic’s first open prison, established in Jiřice, Central Bohemia, in 2017, has been seen as a model for effective rehabilitation. Unlike traditional prisons, Jiřice’s open facility has a reduced security regimen but maintains structure by requiring inmates to work, take personal responsibility, and care for the grounds, animals, and gardens.

This model helps foster responsibility, discipline, and social integration, which have led to lower recidivism rates among its participants.

Since opening, around 300 inmates have participated in Jiřice’s program, with 221 released successfully.

The current recidivism rate among Jiřice’s former inmates is 17.2%, significantly below the national average of approximately 70%. This remarkable success underscores the potential benefits of expanding the open prison model to women.

Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more