Jelgava Prison in Latvia, a detention facility built in 1870, has officially ceased operations and opened its doors to the public for guided tours, according to Zemgale Regional Television. Visitors can now walk through cell blocks and rooms that were entirely inaccessible just months ago, following the relocation of inmates to a newly established facility in Liepāja.
Closure of Jelgava Prison and Transfer of Inmates
The transition concluded at the end of June, when the final group of inmates was transferred. According to former employee and tour guide Guntis Rasa, the last prisoners were escorted to Liepāja Prison on June 27. Staff members remained on-site until nearly midnight on June 30 to completely clear out the historical facility. Rasa worked at the prison for 20 years before transitioning into his current role leading public tours.
Over its operational history, the facility’s population fluctuated significantly. In 2005, the prison held as many as 700 inmates, but that figure dropped to approximately 320 individuals in recent years.
Did You Know? Jelgava Prison was built in 1870, making it one of the oldest prisons in Latvia.
Guided Tours and Public Access
Following the closure, the Jelgava local authority took over the site from the Ministry of Justice. Public tours are now operating under the title “Jelgava Prison: Then and Now,” giving visitors a firsthand look at daily prison infrastructure. Group sizes are strictly capped at no more than 15 people per tour, with tickets priced at eight euros.
Tour participant Lauris shared perspective on seeing the facility in real life after viewing similar environments on screen. “Well, my view of the whole thing has certainly changed. For a day like today, it’s something new and interesting. But if it were an everyday experience, I certainly wouldn’t want that,” Lauris said.
Future Schedule and Expansion Plans
Current tours are scheduled throughout September. If public demand remains strong, organizers plan to expand the schedule to include Saturdays starting in October.
Frequently Asked Questions When did Jelgava Prison officially close? The prison ceased operations on June 30, following the transfer of its final inmates. How much do the public tours cost? Tickets for the “Jelgava Prison: Then and Now” guided tours cost eight euros per person, with group sizes limited to a maximum of 15 visitors. Where were the remaining inmates transferred? The final group of prisoners was escorted to the new prison in Liepāja on June 27.
Would you consider visiting a decommissioned historical prison to see its former cell blocks?
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