2009 Press Releases
Cornerstone Laid for Major U.S. Assistance Project at Pol-i-Charkhi Prison
"While we Americans are proud to play a supporting role in this project, this is first and foremost an Afghan initiative to rebuild Afghan institutions and create a stable society," said Ambassador Wayne
Kabul, August 29, 2009 - Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne, Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs at the U.S Embassy in Kabul, with officials from the Afghan government, today laid the cornerstone of a $26.5 million renovation project at Pol-i-Charkhi Prison, the largest prison in Afghanistan. This project will overhaul and modernize the prison's ageing physical structure, which will create more secure and humane conditions in the prison, and help combat radicalization. The contracts to renovate the prison will also promote Afghanistan's long-term economic development. The architectural and engineering contract for the project has been awarded to Basirat Architectural and Engineering Company of Kabul, while the contract for the construction phase, which officially begins today, was awarded to Al Watan Construction Company.
Ambassador Wayne noted that "this project is one of the largest U.S. assistance projects to be awarded to Afghan businesses" and "our selection of Afghan firms to engineer and build it reflects the fact that one of our most important tasks is to ensure that U.S. assistance is used not only to meet Afghanistan's immediate needs, but to build long term capacity and promote development." Deputy Minister of Justice Abdul Qadir Adallatkhwa reviewed the troubled history of the prison, parts of which had, in the past, been controlled by radical groups. Deputy Minister Adallatkhwa extended his sincere thanks to the United States on behalf of the Ministry of Justice for support efforts to make the prison a more secure facility. Lieutenant General Amir Mohammad Jamsheed, Director Central Prisons Directorate, echoed the Deputy Minister's thanks and noted that this kind of assistance is precisely the kind he believed President Obama has in mind when he talks of the importance of U.S. assistance to Afghanistan.
Pol-i-Charkhi's current condition has made it impossible to classify and segregate inmates according to the crime they have committed. Those convicted of petty crimes were often in the very same cell as serious criminals such as murderers or violent extremists, creating an environment for radical elements to recruit, train and incite otherwise peaceful individuals to commit violent crimes. The Pol-i-Charkhi renovation project will create separate wings for minimum, medium, and maximum security prisoners. It will provide drinking water, a septic system, a power generation and distribution system, and security enhancements. The renovations are also designed to reflect Afghan cultural and religious customs, with prayer rooms and common areas. In addition, the renovations will provide a new hospital wing and dining facility along with a national training center for the Central Prisons Directorate at Pol-i-Charkhi.