MALE  PRISON  -  STARA  ZAGORA

The town of Stara Zagora is the administrative center of the Region Stara Zagora.

The prison was built in the period 1929-1931. There are placed first time sentenced adults. They serve a term of imprisonment for a grave crime.

The activities connected with the execution of sentences are carried out in three main directions: security-protective measures; social-educational measures; business activities. The transition to market economy and the democratic changes taking place in Bulgaria set a lot of new challenging tasks to the prison system. The prisons are faced with the necessity of putting into practice new approaches to the prison management and to the humane treatment of inmates. The adoption of a new philosophy for the imprisonment is a complex process which require a long adaptation time and the will of all direct or indirect involved.

The Prison School has a key role in that process. The curriculum is equal to the one in the ordinary primary, secondary and vocational schools in Bulgaria. In addition, the school offers courses in areas such as cognitive and job-training skills. The library; sport; art and project activities facilitate the process through which adults develop a new attitude to their previous beliefs and ideas, to their own potential. Providing the inmates with the opportunity to develop a new way of thinking, it means, in a great degree, to avoid a next crime. It is difficult. But it’s worth the effort.