Latvian Prison Administration is a state administration institution under the authority of the Ministry of Justice, the functions, tasks and competences of which are defined in the second section of the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 827 of 1 November 2005 "Regulations of the Prison Administration"
Functions, tasks and competences of the Administration
The functions of the Administration are to ensure the enforcement of detention as a security measure and deprivation of liberty as an execution of criminal sentence.
In order to ensure the enforcement of these functions, the Administration shall:
- exercise guarding functions of prisons;
- supervise and ensure compliance with the behavioral rules of conduct and the rights and duties of prisoners;
- ensure the provision of domestic and communal services to prisoners as laid down in the legislation;
- ensure medical care of prisoners;
- organize mental care and educational activities for prisoners;
- ensure respect for the rights and fulfilment of the duties of the administrative staff, as well as legal protection, operational and social guarantees;
- provide vocational orientation and professional development education for the staff of the administration.
The Administration shall, within its competence:
- prepare projects for public investment and other programmes, and facilitate the implementation of public investment programmes in the interest of the Administration;
- make proposals for the necessary legislation and participate in the drafting of relevant projects, as appropriate;
- cooperate with state and local authorities and non-governmental organizations in matters relating to the provision of custody and the execution of custodial sentences;
- cooperate with foreign and international institutions on issues related to the provision of detention and the improvement of the execution of custodial sentences, and analyze the experience of Latvia and other countries in solving these issues;
- participate in the preparation and implementation of projects of international agreements;
- provide the media with information on the activities of the Administration;
- provide paid services.