Detention Center No. 1 - Kresty SIZO - is a real monument of Russia's architectural heritage. After all, he is over 120 years old. This prison is located in the city of St. Petersburg on Arsenalnaya Embankment. The Kresty pre-trial detention center remains the largest among the institutions of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. The initial purpose of the detention center is a solitary prison. At present, everything has changed a lot at Crosses and has become more modern. Only adult suspected intruders are contained here.
Historical reference
During the reign of Anna Ioannovna was built "Wine Town" on Arsenalnaya Embankment. There were small buildings in which there were people who committed crimes.
Only in 1868, it was decided to convert the "Wine Town" into a complex for temporary detention of prisoners. But very soon it became clear to everyone that the existing buildings were not suitable for finding prisoners in them.
Later, in 1884, by decree of Nicholas II, the construction of a new large prison begins, which today is considered the largest pre-trial detention center - pre-trial detention center No. 1 “Crosses”. Its architect was A. Tomishko. According to the design of the latter, the two main buildings have the shape of crosses. This, as conceived by the author himself, was supposed to remind the prisoners of God, and in the absence of remorse among the prisoners, a cross placed on their fate. The date of foundation of the "Crosses" is considered to be 1892.
Famous Prisoners
SIZO No. 1 “Crosses” is famous not only for its unusual appearance, but also for the fact that at different times there were famous political and public figures, representatives of art. This prison was a temporary home for them. The most famous of those who were in the Crosses are Leo Trotsky, Joseph Brodsky, Gumilev and Kerensky. In addition, the father of the famous writer Nabokov also visited here. Being in the walls of pre-trial detention center No. 1 “Crosses” broke the lives of many strong and talented personalities. Nevertheless, many of the prisoners admitted after being released that being in prison benefited them.
Past conditions
Detention Center No. 1 "Crosses" was commissioned in 1893. Then in prison only in solitary confinement were placed. In the pre-trial detention center there could be 1,150 people at a time. In addition, 960 cameras were created here.
In one of the buildings of the "Crosses" was a church consecrated in the name of A. Nevsky. Initially, this prison was created to contain only those cybercriminals who committed criminal offenses. But after a while, political prisoners also stayed here.
At the beginning of the 20th century, “Crosses” was called a model prison. In the cells, the prisoners were one or two people each. There was heating, ventilation and a toilet with a drain.
The worst years for the prison were the nineties. Then, up to 18-20 prisoners were kept in the cells of the prison. Although initially the prison was built so that each cell was supposed to be solitary.
Currently
St. Petersburg pre-trial detention center No. 1 “Crosses”, according to those under investigation who have been here for the first time, is a prison that looks more like a sanatorium. Here the bathrooms were improved and the bunks were replaced. Of course, because of the oldest building layout, it is not possible to make major repairs here. Otherwise, the destruction of the cruciform corps will simply not be avoided.
Currently, there are approximately 2,500 prisoners. Many of them have already been convicted and are awaiting escort to other correctional facilities.
Also at the beginning of 1993, a thematic museum was created in Crosses. After six years of its existence, it has become an open exposition for everyone.
Important information
Many citizens, whose close people, by the will of fate, ended up in this pre-trial detention center, are interested in the question of where the prison is and what the working regime is. So, the full address of pre-trial detention center No. 1 “Crosses” is as follows: the city of St. Petersburg, Arsenalnaya Embankment, 7. The pre-trial detention center is open from 8 am to 5 pm
Full name - PKU SIZO-1 ("Crosses") of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the city of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. The head of this institution is Lvov V. A.
Existing Rules
Alleged cybercriminals who are in the PKU pre-trial detention center No. 1 Kresty in St. Petersburg are only allowed to meet with relatives or other persons on the basis of the written permission of the investigator who is conducting the case. This must be known to those people who want to visit their loved one who finds themselves in a difficult life situation.
The duration of the meeting is three hours, it is allowed only twice a month. In this case, at the meeting of the person under investigation with the relatives, a pre-trial detention center employee must be present. If the latter notices that the person who came to visit the alleged attacker will try to give him prohibited items or substances, then the date will be immediately over.
If you need information
Here, as in any other detention center, there is a telephone for communication with the administration of the institution. In order to find out any information of interest on the rules of visiting the prison and hours of work, you can go there in person or call by phone in jail-1 “Crosses”. Contacts of the detention center can be found on the official website of this correctional institution.
Features
"Crosses" are considered one of the most crowded prisons in Russia. There was a time when there were over ten thousand people. Prisoners can take a shower once a week. The duration of this procedure is no more than fifteen minutes.
Interesting
For such a long period of existence of this pre-trial detention center, only a few people were able to escape from here, of which:
- In 1922, people from the criminal group Lenka Panteleeva escaped using the help of a security guard;
- one of the people under investigation jumped over the fence at the time of the walk (1969);
- In 1984, prisoners escaped due to the fact that they were given fake police certificates;
- In the early 90s, the person sentenced to death decided to escape, a female investigator helped him.
New prison
The question of moving the remand prison to a new place has been discussed for quite some time. After all, the prison, although it is an architectural monument, but it does not decorate the center of St. Petersburg at all. In addition, the number of seats in the Cross is very limited. After all, as already mentioned earlier, in this prison it was planned to place the convicts in the cell only one person at a time.
The construction of new Crosses was started back in 2007 in Kolpino, not far from St. Petersburg. A very large amount of money was allocated for this. The object was planned to be commissioned back in 2015. Nevertheless, now they call different terms.
Crosses 2 has now been completed and is admired by many people who accidentally noticed the building of the new detention center. The multi-story building of the prison will be able to easily accommodate even up to four thousand prisoners. Most of the isolation cells are designed for four people, there are also single and double.
According to experts, the new Crosses will become one of the largest insulators in all of Europe. In addition, there is only the most modern equipment. Along the entire perimeter of the pre-trial detention center, special sensors and video surveillance cameras are installed.
What awaits the old "Crosses"
Currently, they plan to open a special store with prison goods, as well as expand the existing museum. Although not so long ago it was said that a new improved entertainment complex or hotel would be opened here. Indeed, most likely, the territory of the historic prison will be leased to a private investor for a long period of time. However, this is only a discussion.
Indeed, at present, prisoners continue to be within the walls of the old "Crosses", erected on the project of that time. The new prison has not yet been commissioned. Currently, they plan to do this before the end of this year. Many prisoners of the Cross want to quickly find themselves in new and more comfortable conditions.