The first defendant Tomislav Duic, who was prison commander, and the second defendant Tonci Vrkic were each sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. Davor Banic was sentenced to seven years, while Miljenko Bajic, Josip Bikic, Emilio Bungur, Ante Gudic and Andjelko Botic each received a six-year prison term.
Duic, Bajic, Bikic and Bungur are on the run.
The time the accused spent in detention will be credited towards their sentences. The facts that they participated in the defence of the country since the start of Serb armed aggression and that they were family men with small children were taken as mitigating circumstances.
Croatian war veterans who followed the sentencing hearing from the public gallery walked out in protest after the judgement was handed down, shouting abuse at the judges.
The accused were found guilty of beating and torturing the prisoners. Two Serb civilians, Nenad Knezevic and Gojko Bulovic, died as a result of beating in mid-June 1992 following a failed attempt by Knezevic to escape.
Presiding judge Spomenka Tonkovic said that it was not proved that Duic and Vrkic had taken part in the maltreatment of the two civilians, but that they did not do anything to prevent the other accused from torturing the men.
Unhappy with the judgement, defence counsel said they would appeal to the Supreme Court.
Prosecutor Michelle Squiccimarro said he was satisfied with the convictions, but not with the length of the sentences. He added that he would consider filing an appeal after he received the judgement in writing.
The eight policemen were acquitted at an initial trial in 2002. The Supreme Court overturned the acquittal last year and referred the case back to the same court for a retrial before a new panel of judges.