11. October 2024
Regional film offices have compiled a list of film-friendly prisons, ranging from historic structures from the Maria Theresa era to modern facilities. Each location is unique, offering a variety of architectural styles, interior designs, and specialized departments, making them ideal for a range of filming needs.
© Antonín Matějovský
Olomouc Remand Prison
Established in 1902, this prison continues to serve its original function. With a capacity of 264, it houses male, female, and juvenile detainees. The administration is receptive to filming requests, allowing both interior and exterior shots. Utilities are readily available on-site, and there is ample parking nearby.
Mírov Prison
Situated 40 kilometers from Olomouc, with 35 kilometers of that journey along the motorway, its origins trace back to the 12th century with a fortified castle built to protect the holdings of the Olomouc bishop. The historic building with its prominent clock tower encloses a cobbled courtyard. Within its walls, you'll find not only the cells and visitation spaces but also cellar areas with vaulted ceilings.
Břeclav
This prison has been operating in its main facility in Břeclav since 1997. The two-story building has a capacity of 109, with an additional 23 spaces available in the remand prison. It features double-occupancy cells, a dedicated classroom, and a secure outdoor courtyard enclosed by a grated ceiling.
Břeclav – Poštorná
Břeclav Prison expanded its operations in 2012 with a new facility in Poštorná, just 4 kilometers away. This building, with a capacity of 187, was acquired from the Refugee Facilities Administration and, following renovations, opened in 2015. The complex offers a range of single- to triple-occupancy cells, a dining hall, a dedicated space for visits, and an outdoor courtyard.
Brno – Bohunice
This remand prison was constructed in 1956. In 1997, it expanded its services to include a prison hospital with dedicated wards for rehabilitation, specialized treatment, and psychiatric care. The facility also provides double-occupancy cells, visitation rooms, communal areas, and an outdoor courtyard.
Brno Penitentiary
Once a penitentiary during the reign of Maria Theresa, Brno Penitentiary has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. Today, it hosts a diverse array of events, including exhibitions, concerts, theater workshops, performances, and lectures. The 8,000 square meter complex features art studios, preserved prison cells, and halls and corridors with vaulted ceilings.
Znojmo
Completed in 1918, this building blends courthouse and prison functions within its neoclassical design. Repurposed after World War II, it was reinstated as a prison in 1997. Inside, there are various spaces, including cells, a communal dining area, a designated visiting room, and an outdoor courtyard.
Pardubice
Showcased as a model of modern prison design at the General Land Centennial Exhibition in Prague in 1891, the year of its completion, this facility continues to operate today. With a current capacity of 650, it features a range of spaces, including inmate cells, classrooms, visitation rooms, hallways, and cellars with vaulted ceilings.
Hradec Králové Remand Prison
Built in 1935, this combined courthouse and prison remains in operation today, with a current capacity of 352 people. Beyond the cells and hallways, it offers a common room with a television, a dedicated weight room, a secure outdoor walkway, and a courtyard featuring a guard tower.
Heřmanice
This Ostrava prison, originally a labor camp built in 1959, was significantly modernized in the 1970s. Today, it accommodates 682 inmates in cells designed for four to seven people. A separate unit for young offenders was added in 2013. The facility features an entrance hall with a checkpoint, a controlled entry point for vehicles, a designated space for visitors, hallways, and a courtyard.
Litoměřice
This facility has been in operation since 1908. With a capacity of 342, it serves as a remand prison for men, women, and juveniles awaiting trial. Cells are equipped to accommodate one to five individuals. The prison also offers common areas, hallways, designated visiting rooms, and an outdoor courtyard.
Jiřice
This expansive prison, with a capacity of 766 inmates, occupies a former military barracks that once served as the headquarters for the Soviet Army. In 2016, it established a unique "open prison" environment. Spread across 50 hectares, the facility encompasses 13 housing units, a multi-purpose entry building, and a comprehensive array of operational, technical, and administrative buildings. Inmates can participate in specialized programs focused on beekeeping, deer farming, agriculture, and livestock care.
Oráčov
This prison prioritizes providing inmates with meaningful work opportunities. Many are employed within the facility itself, filling roles like cooks, storekeepers, maintenance workers, tailors, a shoemaker, a mechanic, a librarian, and a barber. A dedicated manufacturing zone with a multi-function hall was constructed in 2008. This hall is used for assembling promotional materials.
For information on other film friendly prisons, please contact the relevant regional film office:
Horní Slavkov - Karlovy Vary Region Film Office
Bory - Pilsen Region Film Office
Příbram - Central Bohemia Film Office
Velké Přílepy - Central Bohemia Film Office
