Croatian Inmates Hold Orgies With Prostitutes

Lepoglava prisoners had the opportunity to enjoy various privileges like mobile phones, drugs or prostitutes for a small sum.

LEPOGLAVA, CROATIA – After many discussions and criticism of the Croatian penal system, for releasing prisoners on vacation and dangerous criminals escaping, a story from prison circles has surfaced up, stating that many privileges were enjoyed in Lepoglava prison.

Orgies in cells

After Ivan Damjanovic, director of the Penal System Management, was dismissed, Croatian Globus weekly researched the Lepoglava prison. The results they published are incredible. Apparently, inmates had the opportunity to enjoy various privileges for a small sum, like mobile phones, drugs or prostitutes. According to the prisoners, prison guards joined in the orgies at times.

Eve today, there are 20 prisoners in semi-open wards of Lepoglava prison, who do not meet the criteria for being placed there.

The Jutarnji list daily reports several most drastic examples.

Ivan Kristo was sentenced to 28 years in prison for murder and attempted murder of the killed man`s wife and child. He served six years and has been staying at the semi-open ward for a year.

Petar Gegic, sentenced to 15 years in prison for double homicide, served seven years and is already at a semi-open department.

According to the law on serving sentences. These prisoners can serve their sentence at semi-open departments after serving two-thirds or at least half of their sentence.

According to some information, transfer to semi-open wards costs 1,500 euros.

Graft and corruption in the penal system

Numerous penal system officials took part in this, headed by recently dismiss Ivan Jugo. The new acting warden Zvonimir Penic allegedly subcame to the negative influence as well.

According to the law. A commission which deals with the success of the prison programme and possible threats for society decides on transferring inmates to more lenient forms of sentence serval.

Prison bosses from the other side of the bars

Charges were raised against Stjepan Loparic, former warden of the Lepoglava prison and his assistant Puntar, for misuse of position and benefitting inmate Hrvoje Petrac.

- I filed charges over falsifying official documents and illegal benefits to certain prisoners – said Croatian Justice Minister Ivan Simonovic.

Petrac`s benefits in question were contrary to regulations, from him being placed in a semi-open ward, before fulfilling the criteria for such conditions, to having weekends outside, the Vecernji list daily reports.