National Preventive Group members of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan conducted visit to Penitentiary Institution #5

In the frame of its national preventive mechanism, the NPG members under the instructions of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva, carried out a scheduled visit to Penitentiary Institution #5 of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice in Salyan district without prior notice.

Members of the NPM during the visit organized in accordance with the OPCAT and the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman, have inspected the isolator room, sanitary-medical unit, canteen, kitchen, meeting and quarantine rooms, as well as other units of the facility.

During the visit, which was also attended by a doctor member of the NPG, it was observed that the sanitary-medical unit of the facility was repaired, but the isolator room needed major repairs.

The detention conditions, treatment standards, quality of nutrition, medical care, access to phone calls, visitations and other rights of prisoners were investigated on the spot. During the private and confidential reception of the prisoners, they have been informed about the competences of the Ombudsman and the relevant legislation.

During the visit, the written appeals addressed to the Ombudsman were also received, and some appeals were solved on the spot.

In the end, NPG members held talks with the administration of the institution as well as the staff were given relevant recommendations on further improvement of the detention conditions and documentation.