Scheveningen – a Far From ‘Normal’ Prison

Mikko Sarvela, a sociologist from Finland, did not hesitate when answering journalists’ questions on what had left the strongest impression on him, since he took charge of the ICTY Detention Unit four-and-a-half months ago.
“There are no smells and sounds typical of ‘normal’ prisons,” he said. “Our institution is quiet, we do not have problems with drugs and violence, which is very positive.”His deputy, Fraser Gilmour, whose experience stretches over more than a decade, adds: “We have never had an attack on the staff, or more serious conflict among the detainees”.
The message, that the Detention Unit of The Tribunal in Scheveningen is no “ordinary” prison – which officials tirelessly repeat – is underscored by Sarvela’s own appearance. Ina snappy dark suit, with elegant, discreet glasses, with mild and direct manners, he is more reminiscent of a diplomat or university professor than of a man who holds under lock and key the politicians and generals allegedly responsible for shocking crimes in former Yugoslavia.
Deputy Fraser confirms the tone with his shoulder-length hair and the light-hearted tone he employs when referring to data about the involuntary residents of the spa on the North Sea.Journalists of BIRN, Beta and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, IWPR, had the opportunity to convince themselves of the veracity of Sarvela’s words during their visit to the Detention Unit of The Tribunal on November, 21, the first such organised visit in its 20-year history. Mikko Sarvela, a sociologist from Finland, did not hesitate when answering journalists’ questions on what had left the strongest impression on him, since he took charge of the ICTY Detention Unit four-and-a-half months ago.“There are no smells and sounds typical of ‘normal’ prisons,” he said. “Our institution is quiet, we do not have problems with drugs and violence, which is very positive.”His deputy, Fraser Gilmour, whose experience stretches over more than a decade, adds: “We have never had an attack on the staff, or more serious conflict among the detainees”.The message, that the Detention Unit of The Tribunal in Scheveningen is no “ordinary” prison – which officials tirelessly repeat – is underscored by Sarvela’s own appearance. Ina snappy dark suit, with elegant, discreet glasses, with mild and direct manners, he is more reminiscent of a diplomat or university professor than of a man who holds under lock and key the politicians and generals allegedly responsible for shocking crimes in former Yugoslavia. Deputy Fraser confirms the tone with his shoulder-length hair and the light-hearted tone he employs when referring to data about the involuntary residents of the spa on the North Sea.Journalists of BIRN, Beta and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, IWPR, had the opportunity to convince themselves of the veracity of Sarvela’s words during their visit to the Detention Unit of The Tribunal on November, 21, the first such organised visit in its 20-year history.Canteen of impressive proportions:
Behind the two electronically locked doors and locked wire gate, through the space of about ten meters from the high outer walls, lies a rectangular central courtyard.

The long disused kennel, on which – symbolically –- the word “Lex” is written, has been transformed into a sculpture, and a mural decorates the courtyard wall behind it.

The courtyard is dominated by a staff canteen of impressive proportions. After the passing the entrance to the psychiatric clinic, there is an inscription on the wall near the metal gate – Detention Unit of the ICTY, the International Criminal Court and the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

According to Fraser Gilmour, the Tribunal prisoners moved in 2005 to the three-storey building in the courtyard separated by the wall, which from a distance looks like a commercial building – until the one notices the bars on the windows. Until then, they were in another building in the same prison.

Yet another duel follows with a metal detec