because the land that is near the state prison has been allocated to a third party. The Association of Prison Guards has sounded the alarm via the labor federation because the land is needed to develop the state prison in accordance with international standards. The land allocation came to light after the Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning had sent a letter to the state prison, asking for the removal of the crops that have been planted outside the sate prison by inmates. The union which has strongly objected to the land allocation also received support from Justice and Police Minister Harish Monorath. Minister Monorath made it clear that he fully supports the union and that he has already take the necessary steps to address the issue. According to Minister Monorath, letters with objections to the land allocation were sent repeatedly to institutions such as Land and Forest Management and the Office of the President. Minister Monorath made it clear that the land in question is essential for the expansion plans of the prison system and the Central State Prison currently does not meet international standards. He explained that facilities must be built for female inmates and also for a juvenile correctional facility. The minister explained that the current situation is problematic because juveniles are still being detained in the same surroundings as the adult inmates. According to the minister, this is in clear violation of international treaties regarding detention and the protection of children. Meanwhile the government has put aside SRD 7 million for the construction of a juvenile correctional facility. There are currently 13 juveniles within the walls of the state prison. These juveniles also receive education within the prison walls. Minister Monorath warned that further delays in the availability of the land will only make it impossible to carry out reform and expansion plans. He emphasized that the prison system must meet international standards regarding the detention and resocialization of inmates. That is currently not the case. “It is in violation with all of the international treaties.”