National Preventive Group continue its visits to penitentiary institutions

The Ombudsman's National Preventive Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (NPM) has been investigating detention condition, treatment, food and medical services quality in places where people cannot leave on their own will.

So, by instructions of the Commissioner for Human Rights, NPM group conducted a visit to the prison facility No. 13 of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice without prior notice.

The purpose of this visit carried out in conformity with the OPCAT and the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman was to investigate detention condition, treatment, received appeals, evaluate ensuring the rights of prisoners as well as to examine the documentation process.

A physician member of the Group also participated in the visit and the group members monitored the penal isolation room, health unit, dormitories and other objects of the facility, including the existed situation of medical care, quality of nutrition, water supply, parceling, visitation hours and access to phone calls. The members also checked the documentation and some shortcomings concerning detention conditions have been identified.

In the facility, there is a need for the provision of psychological and social services and for expansion and promotion of correctional services for prisoners through involvement them into social work.

Numerous inmates at the facility were randomly selected and listened in private in a view to examine the treatment condition. Further, the group members investigate the state of ensuring prisoners’ rights; relevant documentation has been checked; the issues raised and a number of medical appeals have been resolved on the spot.

Each prisoner received has been given legal advice on matters raised and their appeals have been received during the private meeting and reception.

At the final stage, legal awareness talks were held with administration and officials of the facility, where they have been given recommendations in compliance with national and international legislation, including the European Penitentiary Rules, with respect to medical care and documentation.