‘Some prison wards not disinfected for six months’

* Photo: pexels

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The Civil Society in the Penal System (CİSST) Association has prepared a report regarding the complaints of prisoners from December 15 to 30, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Speaking to CİSST representatives, prisoners have complained that the wards are crowded, beds are close to one another and they have to sleep like this, they have to come together with the prisoners staying in different wards in open prisons in shared spaces and dining halls.

'Water is dirty, unusable'

The report has listed prisoners' complaints about hygiene:

"While prisons were regularly disinfected at certain intervals at the onset of the outbreak, this frequency has recently decreased and there are some wards that have not been disinfected for six months.

"While some prison administrations distribute soap, bleach and disinfectants to wards for free, it is not the case in some other prisons.

"The cleaning and hygiene products distributed for free are limited and fall short of meeting the needs of prisoners.

"While prisoners making a phone call are given masks in some prisons, they are not given masks while they are making a phone call or when they leave the ward in some others even though they request it. It is also reported that penal institution personnel use masks as a means of threat in some prisons and prisoners have difficulty accessing them for this reason.

"Prisoners are not provided with free cleaning products in some prisons; prisoners unable to afford them are also not provided with them free.

'No cleaning and hygiene products'

"In several prisons, there are no cleaning and hygiene products in toilets.

"Bathrooms are dirty; the use and hours of bathrooms are limited in crowded prison wards.

"The number of toilets and bathrooms is limited.

"Water is dirty and unusable in some prisons; water is cut very frequently; hot water is provided in a limited amount and at certain times.

"There are quotas on water usage in some prisons, prisoners cannot maintain their personal hygiene as well as that of the wards as a result.

"There are problems with maintaining personal hygiene.

"Products at prisons' canteens are expensive and lack product range.

"In some prisons, 10 fruits are distributed to a 15-person ward; when prisoners want to buy fruits and vegetables from the canteen with their own money, the products are insufficient; the prisoners who are not in an economic condition to afford them cannot access fruits and vegetables.

"Prisoners are not provided with vitamins and immune enhancers."

* Click here to access the full report

(SO/AS/SD)