National Preventive Group of Ombudsman carried out visit to Sheki Penitentiary Institution

The next visit of the National Preventive Group of the Ombudsman was conducted to Sheki Penitentiary Institution under the Ministry of Justice without prior notice.

The visit was organized on the basis of the OPCAT and the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman. It was aimed at investigating the appeals received, conditions of detention and treatment issues, also monitoring the ensuring of the rights of convicts in compliance with the Internal Disciplinary Rules and international norms.

Within the visit dormitories, penalty isolator and other objects were reviewed, state of arrangement of medical service, nutrition, parcels, walking, meeting and phone calls was investigated.

The convicted and accused persons in that facility were received in private; the status of ensuring their rights, appeals and raised issues were examined on site. Some persons expressed their complaints related to detention conditions and investigation of their cases.

In the course of the visit, issues raised within the individual reception and meetings were investigated, and legal advice was provided within the scope of the Ombudsman’s competences. Several appeals were provided on the spot.

At the end, NPG members conducted awareness raising discussions with the administration and staff members of the facility. Respective recommendations were made to eliminate the shortcomings about detention conditions, medical service and documentation in compliance with the national and international legislation, European Prison Rules.

The outcome of the visit will be addressed to the Ministry of Justice.