Govt adopts 2012 report on penal institutions

At its session on Friday, the government adopted a report on the situation in penal institutions and prisons in 2012 and Justice Minister Orsat Miljenic assessed that the situation in these institutions was better than in 2011 however space and financial limits were prevalent.
 

"We are a safe country with regard to the number of prisoners", he said.

Miljenic explained that overtime hours by guards had been reduced by around 50% however, the system lacked around 34% of the personnel required but that this could be partially alleviated with the transfer of customs officers to the prison system who will no longer be necessary in such numbers on the border once Croatia joins the European Union on July 1.

Miljenic described that of the 18,000 prisoners in Croatia only one attempted escape was recorded but that prisoner was captured quickly. "This just goes to show that they have nowhere to escape to from Croatia", he said.

The government also adopted Amendments to the Law on Road Traffic Safety by which Vehicle Booklets - a public document issued by a competent authority and proving ownership of a particular vehicle - are to be abolished and ownership of a vehicle will be proven by the vehicle's registration certificate, in line with European practice.

Also, the government adopted amendments which will raise the amount of compulsory Third Party Insurance for vehicles bringing this in line with European standards.

The law also prescribes that if a road accident is caused as a result of a criminal act like reckless driving the perpetrator is stripped of the right to insurance.

The government also adopted a bill on medicines by which medical products will be able to be sold on the Croatian market by companies registered in the EU. Until now, pharmaceutical companies had to be registered in Croatia. As of July 1, imports will be considered of those goods coming from countries outside the EU.

(Hina)
 

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