Disciplinary actions have been launched against 11 employees of the Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions (UIKS) due to significant breaches of duty over the past year.

The institution informed “Vijesti” about this, although it did not provide specific details regarding the violations.

“In cases where suspicions of criminal offenses arose, the Security Department alerted the prosecutor’s office, which took necessary actions within its jurisdiction, and the involved officers were temporarily prohibited from performing their duties pending the outcome of the proceedings,” UIKS stated to “Vijesti”.

They clarified that the Disciplinary Commission of the Government of Montenegro, acting as an independent body in state and local proceedings, is responsible for disciplinary measures related to serious breaches of official duty.

The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office did not disclose to “Vijesti” whether a case has been initiated against any officials for serious breaches of duty.

In addition to the 11 major violations, three UIKS officers faced discipline for minor infractions.

“All three disciplinary proceedings for minor violations have been concluded, and disciplinary measures were imposed as per the law,” stated UIKS’s responses.

According to the annual report of the institution, some inmates have addressed the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms regarding the actions of security personnel.

Protector: Investigate reasons for withdrawing abuse complaints

During the 20th session of the Committee for Human Rights and Freedoms on May 7, Deputy Protector Mirjana Radović reported that allegations of torture and ill-treatment decreased over the past year.

She noted that the Ombudsman’s office indicated that UIKS managed complaints of abuse in a timely manner, including suspending employees reported for such conduct.

The institution reiterated both national regulations and international standards that categorically prohibit abuse, emphasizing that UIKS must ensure full compliance with this prohibition, particularly given the potential vulnerability of those who report these incidents and the risks of unlawful pressure from officials to withdraw their complaints.

There were 9 cases involving the use of coercive measures—six against convicted individuals and three against detainees. These measures included physical force, the use of irritant sprays, and restraints.

Radović commended the progress made on the construction of an open-type prison facility and the expansion of Remand Prison’s capacity, which now accommodates around 60 additional prisoners, as well as improvements to the prison hospital facility at UIKS.

However, the condition of the Remand Prison remains troubling, particularly regarding certain material aspects.

She emphasized that immediate actions could be taken regarding several recommendations that do not require significant financial resources, such as providing adequate hygiene packages and renovating the living areas.

Coercive measures were primarily used to address active or passive resistance, non-compliance with orders, preventing assaults on officials, and addressing violent behavior, according to the UIKS report.

The Protector remarked on the necessity of developing protocols aimed at preventing suicide among prisoners and stated that no internal protocol exists for handling hunger strikes or refusals to eat at UIKS.

Deputy Radović noted that those deprived of liberty, especially individuals in psychiatric institutions and similar care facilities, represent a particularly vulnerable group.

She stressed the absence of a clear strategy for de-institutionalizing this demographic and indicated that a network of community mental health centers, designed to deliver comprehensive mental health care with minimal restrictions, has yet to be established. Recommendations were made for the competent authorities to enhance local mental health center capabilities and to collaborate with the Police Directorate to develop protocols clearly outlining the roles and procedures for the involved officials, including mental health center staff, social workers, and police officers, for an integrated approach to working with mentally ill individuals.

Prisoner abuse case at the prosecutor’s office

“Vijesti” recently reported on the case involving UIKS officer Goran Đuričković, who has been accused of abusing prisoner Enis Tičić.

The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica decided to file charges against him.

“The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica has submitted an indictment to the Basic Court in Danilovgrad against G.Đ. from Danilovgrad, a senior prison police supervisor with the Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, for the crime of abuse. The defendant, while performing the official act of returning the convicted person, the injured party TE, from the walking area to prison, struck him multiple times in the head and body, while the injured party offered no resistance during the incident,” stated the Podgorica Prosecutor’s Office.

The incident occurred on April 8th at the Short Sentence Prison.

Previous reports noted that Đuričković alleged to police inspectors that he struck Tičić after being threatened by him about “his family paying.” However, the official note containing Tičić’s account claims he simply asked to be taken to a phone booth and touched the officer’s shoulder in a friendly manner.

Police were called to the Supka prison based on a report of an attack on a UIKS officer, but three days later, criminal charges were leveled against Đuričković.

Daggers were confiscated from prisoners

The institution’s annual report noted the confiscation of items such as daggers, phones, tablets, chargers, and similar items from inmates.

Trend of withdrawal of complaints

“While respecting the right of every individual to withdraw a complaint at any time, we observed a pattern of withdrawal of abuse complaints in at least three cases. The Ombudsman deems this trend indicative and has warned UIKS of the necessity for investigation into the reasons behind each withdrawal,” Radović shared the Ombudsman’s perspective.

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