Latvia Proposes a New Day for Penitentiary System Workers

Latvia’s Justice Ministry is seeking to create a new official observance, Penitentiary System Workers’ Day, for staff of the country’s Prison Administration.

The ministry has submitted amendments to the law governing public holidays, commemorations and observances. The draft will first undergo coordination, after which the Cabinet will decide whether to advance it. The final decision will rest with the Saeima.

The ministry says the penitentiary system refers to the prison system, including remand prisons and correctional institutions. Its staff work with inmates who have different personalities, risks of criminal behavior and needs for resocialization. The stated aim is to help them return to lawful lives after leaving prison.

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a place of repentance

Latvia currently has eight prisons holding about 3,600 inmates. The Prison Administration employs 1,595 officials with special service ranks, 19 general civil servants and 321 other employees.

The administration already marks its professional holiday on July 8 each year by honoring employees for achievements in service or work. The date is linked to July 8, 1919, when the Main Prison Board was established by a Justice Ministry decision. The ministry says the proposed observance would place prison staff alongside firefighters, border guards and police, whose professional days are already recognized at state level.

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This is creative, specialized, demanding and at the same time unique work