In a groundbreaking move toward a penal system focused on social integration, Catalonia is set to inaugurate a “friendly prison” in 2026. The revolutionary facility in Barcelona’s Zona Franca will feature no walls, bars, or barbed wire. The institution is designed to prepare inmates who have served the majority of their sentences for a successful return to society.
This new center, with a capacity for around 800 inmates, will house prisoners from the Wad-Ras and Trinitat Vella facilities, which are slated for closure. The concept, initiated by former Minister of Justice Gemma Ubasart, is based on the idea of fostering rehabilitation through an open environment. A 2020 report by the Centre d’Estudis Jurídics i Formació Especialitzada (CEJFE) showed that the recidivism rate in this type of penal system decreased by nearly ten percentage points over six years, to 21.1%. The Ministry’s goal is to facilitate reintegration into civil and professional life through a normalized, almost residential setting that dispenses with traditional security elements.
The 13,000-square-meter complex, with a construction cost of approximately 40 million euros, will provide inmates with 200 rooms divided into two independent modules. Each room overlooks a central courtyard and is completely free of bars. Instead, the prison will use biometric access controls to ensure security. In addition to living quarters, the facility will offer comprehensive leisure and educational opportunities, including a library, a gym, training rooms with computers, a dining hall, and a TV room.
Sustainability is a key focus of the project. The building is designed with BREEAM certification, ensuring the highest ecological standards. Geothermal energy, solar panels, and efficient thermal insulation are intended to achieve a “zero consumption” goal, making the prison a model for environmentally friendly construction.
The project was not without controversy. Ubasart faced criticism from the CSIF union, which highlighted her past as an activist for prisoners’ rights and her comments about “torture and violence” in prisons. A report that found a lower recidivism rate among Catalan-speaking convicts also sparked debate. Despite these controversies, Catalonia is moving forward with the plan to open the new justice center in the first half of 2026, charting a new course in correctional services.
