The Lithuanian Minister of Justice, M. Kairys, has expressed concern over the ongoing reconstruction of the Alytus prison, emphasizing that the process has been unjustifiably prolonged since it started back in 2011. During a visit to the facility, the Minister inquired about the progress of the dormitory renovations and the construction of outdoor exercise areas for inmates. According to updates from the Ministry of Justice after the visit, there has been a significant focus on upgrading these areas to adhere to international standards.

The Minister highlighted that the slow pace of the project has been attributed to a number of factors, including legal disputes and changing decisions throughout the project's execution. These issues have reportedly led to a substantial increase in the overall cost of the reconstruction. The ministry's comments reflect a growing frustration with the apparent lack of progress in modernizing the prison facilities, which are essential for improving inmate conditions and rehabilitation efforts.

In response to the criticisms, the ministry stated that accountability for the reconstruction decisions lies both with the central Lithuanian prison service and the administration of Alytus prison itself. The ongoing challenges in the reconstruction efforts draw attention to the complexities involved in prison modernizations in Lithuania, as well as the need for better oversight and management of such long-term projects.