Transfer of Escort Vehicles to Ukraine: Support Amidst Conflict

Prague, July 18 - In June of this year, the Czech Prison Service took a significant step towards strengthening international cooperation and solidarity. Director General Simon Michailidis signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Rector of The Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine , Serhii Hrechaniuk, as well as an agreement for the gratuitous transfer of escort vehicles.

This week, four escort buses and two smaller escort vehicles were officially handed over in Ukraine. This marks a significant step towards the establishment of an escort service, as the Ukrainian Prison Service did not previously have any such vehicles at its disposal. These vehicles will primarily be prepared for the rapid evacuation of prisons in case they are threatened by the ongoing war.

The handover of the escort vehicles was carried out on the basis of an mandate given by a resolution of the Czech government. The vehicles were no longer in active use but were part of the reserves of the Czech Prison Service.

Given the ongoing war in Ukraine, we see this assistance as a concrete expression of support for our colleagues who are facing extraordinarily challenging service conditions during the conflict. This step also represents further strengthening of our mutual partnership and serves as evidence that cooperation and solidarity have a firm place in today’s world.