First “smart” maximum security prison – Budapester Zeitung – 2024-04-12 10:18:35

Csenger prison

Written by Bettina Nemes

At the end of September, the largest and most modern prison in the country will be opened in Csenger (Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county).

With an investment of more than 50 billion forints (130 million euros), a “smart” high-security prison is being built on an area of ​​5.5 hectares. In the 1,500-person facility, the prison doors will be keyless, there will be facial recognition, every step of the inmates will be monitored, their behavior and facial expressions will be analyzed by AI.

However, the data protection authority NAIH, headed by Attila Péterfalvi, considers a change in the data protection law to be essential given the use of these instruments.

Comprehensive program

The European Council criticized Hungary years ago for overcrowding in prisons, with an occupancy rate of around 142%. Interior Minister Sándor Pintér confirmed these circumstances at the end of last year. So-called container prisons have already brought relief. At the same time, he pointed out that the overcrowding in prisons was largely caused by people smugglers. This shows two things: on the one hand, the authorities have effectively uncovered the smuggling routes, and on the other hand, the courts have imposed long prison sentences.

In order to remedy the grievances, the government has launched a program to build prisons. New prisons are being built in Békés, Csenger, Heves, Komádi, Komló and Berettyóújfalu.