Tartu Prison

Tartu Prison accepted its first prisoners on October 16, 2002, therewith noting the transfer of Estonian Prison Service from dorm-type prisons to cell-based prisons. The establishment of Tartu Prison also laid the foundation for a regional prison service.

Tartu Prison extends across approximately 94,000 m² on the floodplain of the river Emajõgi. The prison’s total area covers 23,000 m², housing an administrative building, reception facilities, recreation and sports facilities, academic classrooms, production facilities for metalwork, woodwork, and textile work, facilities for holding religious services, and ancillary premises.

The prison contains 479 cells of approximately 10 m² each. For a precise prisoner count, click here. 

The prison incorporates 422.3 staff positions, including 261 prison officer positions.

Prison security is ensured by video cameras, attack alarm systems for staff protection, and special security systems for the protection of the nearly kilometer-long outer barrier.

The nearly one thousand prisoners kept in Tartu Prison receive education from Tartu Upper Secondary School for Adults and Tartu Vocational Education Center.

Tartu Prison employs approximately 250 prisoners in household work; about 40 prisoners work outside of prison.

As of 2005, the medical ward at Tartu Prison also provides in-patient psychiatric treatment (the prison’s psychiatric ward is located here).

In 2007, a drug-free center was established at Tartu Prison. The same year, Tartu Prison’s HIV related project received a World Health Organization award.

In 2015, an open prison unit was opened at Tartu Prison.