Justice Minister Anastassis Papaligouras said yesterday the country’s newest jail in Trikala, northern Greece, will start operating today as the government moves to ease overcrowding in correctional facilities.

The total cost of the prison’s construction came to 20 million euros and it will be able to accommodate 400 inmates. Another prison in Domokos, central Greece, is expected to be completed this summer.

A recent fire at Korydallos Prison, which led to the deaths of three inmates, prompted an outcry about conditions in prisons. There were no smoke alarms or fire extinguishers in Korydallos and prisoners there were being denied access to basic hygiene services, according to reports.

Meanwhile, Papaligouras inaugurated a school yesterday that would give inmates in Larissa another chance to study.

“Our vision is that for each jail there is a school so that today’s inmates are tomorrow’s productive and useful citizens,” he said.