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These are related to the implementation of strategically important projects on modernisation of penal institutions and introduction of mobile connection jamming equipment, Lithuania's National Audit Office reports.

During previous audits, the National Audit Office drew attention to the fact that more than a half of the measures of the Strategy for the Renovation of Places of Imprisonment will not be implemented in time. It was planned that in 2015 new places of imprisonment will be built in Vilnius, Kaunas and Siauliai, and in 2017 – in Panevezys. As a result of the audit observations, the action plan has been updated by envisaging that all those institutions will be built in 2022. However, that means that at least 7 years compensations will be paid to those imprisoned persons who will apply to the court with regard to inappropriate conditions for their imprisonment.

Under courts' decisions, in 2010-2014 imprisoned persons received EUR 255,000 of compensations for material and non-material damage as a result of inappropriate conditions for imprisonment. The number of applicants increases every year – the amount for compensations in 2014 only reached EUR 174,000.

Even in the case when renovation is carried out so slowly the Prison Department and its subordinate institutions are not able to ensure that funds for renovation of buildings would be used efficiently and in accordance with relevant legal acts. The auditors identified that when carrying the capital repairs of the building the contractor has refused works under the contract amounting to EUR 89,900 that have already been paid for and part of which have been carried out. Some works were acquired without following obligatory procurement procedures, intangible assets were purchased using allocations meant for investment.

Due to delay in public procurement procedures and inability of supplier to fulfil the obligations of the contract, the Prison Department cannot finish the introduction of mobile connection jamming system. In 2013-2014, the advance payments amounted to EUR 0.434 million, however, the radio jamming equipment does not yet function in any place of imprisonment.

The Ministry of Justice itself failed to carry out all the required actions in time. The Law on the State-Guaranteed Legal Aid defines that legal aid is provided according to the principle of priority of the amicable settlement of disputes, however, this principle could not be fully implemented because the Ministry has not approved the procedures for organization and administration of amicable settlement. According to the law, the service for amicable settlement of disputes had to be provided beginning with July 2014. The state-guaranteed legal aid was paid EUR 5.9 million from the state budget in 2014.