Silivri Prison Expanding Its Capacity
A 832-Square-Meter Prefabricated Building to Be Added to Silivri Prison
A new prefabricated annex of 832 square meters will be built at Silivri Prison, where prominent figures such as Ekrem İmamoğlu, Can Atalay, and Osman Kavala are held. The 9.9 million TL project has come to public attention amid ongoing debates over overcrowding in the prison.
A new building will be constructed within the Marmara Penal Institutions Campus, officially known by that name and located in Istanbul’s Silivri district. The tender for the two-story prefabricated structure, to be built on an area of 832 square meters, was awarded to Erkkam Engineering and Construction by the Silivri Open Penal Institution for 9.9 million Turkish liras.
A PLACE FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS
Silivri Prison has long been known as a center where individuals convicted in political trials are held. Many figures are imprisoned here, including CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, CHP-affiliated mayors, and Gezi trial convicts Can Atalay and Osman Kavala.
Although Silivri is officially stated to have a capacity of 11,000 inmates, a 2019 report by the Turkish Parliament’s Human Rights Commission revealed that 22,781 prisoners were being held there. Due to extreme overcrowding, there have been frequent reports of inmates having to sleep on the floor.
According to Nefes Gazette, the new building is planned to be completed by May 8, 2025, but its intended purpose remains unclear. While no official statements have been made, civil society groups and human rights advocates are questioning whether the building is meant to increase capacity or improve existing conditions.
ERKKAM ENGINEERING’S PUBLIC CONTRACTS
The company Erkkam Engineering, which undertook the project, is known to have received public tenders worth 108.1 million TL to date. The company has previously participated in various public building and infrastructure projects.
EUROPE'S LARGEST PRISON
Opened in 2008, Silivri Prison spans a vast area of 1,035,000 square meters. Within the complex, there are 8 high-security L-type, 1 T-type closed prisons, and 1 open prison, making it the largest correctional facility in Europe.
