Prisoners’ number, during AKP rule, went skyrocketing

NEWS DESK

The Human Rights Society prepared a report confirming that the number of prisoners and detainees in Turkish prisons is increasing significantly during the AKP.

The report, based on the statements of prisoners in the Central Prison, concerning the incarceration of detainees in Turkish prisons, indicates that as of 15 November 2017, 228,993 prisoners had been placed in prison distributed over 384 prisons throughout Turkey.

The report added that more than 20,000 prisoners in these prisons are lying on the ground because they have no place in these prisons, with a maximum capacity of only 207,279.

The report noted that the living conditions in these prisons are getting worse, especially after the declaration of a state of emergency in the country; there are occasional reports of detainees being subjected to torture and ill-treatment. Health violations, the prohibition of prisoners from communicating with their families and the arbitrary disciplinary sanctions, stripping of clothing and isolation have become common practices committed every day there.

According to a report on human rights violations issued in 2017 by the branch of the Association of Human Rights in Amed city, 433 prisoners were tortured and maltreated within one year in the prisons of this region only.

In the past two years, 2,300 prisoners have died in prison, according to official data from the Turkish Ministry of Justice.

In spite of all attempts to release them, the Turkish authorities did not allow, even those whose health conditions was critically bad, to postpone the execution of their sentences.

Although the Forensic Medicine Department is the only body authorized to make a decision to release these prisoners because of the deterioration of their health, it has become nearly impossible for the prisoner to obtain a report that "cannot be kept inside the prison", although just getting this report is no longer sufficient either.

Even though this report is issued by the Forensic Medicine Department after strenuous attempts, prosecutors ask the Counterterrorism Division in the areas in which they lived. In their usual question, "Does this individual pose a threat to the security of the community if he is released?

According to the Human Rights Association, 1,154 prisoners lie in the Turkish prisons. They are suffering from various diseases. 357 of them require their immediate release because they live in their last days.

(T/S)

ANHA