Hürriyet Daily News – November 11, 2013
A recent report has shown that
prison conditions in Turkey are poor for LGBT individuals, people with
disabilities and the elderly.
The Civil Society in the Penal System Foundation (CİSST) compiled its report
titled “Project of Inmates with Special Needs,” after one year of research in
three prisons, Ümraniye, Bakırköy and Maltepe, in Istanbul.
Project Coordinator Mustafa Eren told the Hürriyet Daily News that this was the
first research of its kind on inmates with special needs.
He added that some NGOs had begun working to try to improve the conditions
after the project was released.
According to the report, LGBT individuals are kept apart from other inmates in
prisons and isolated in social activities in Turkish prisons. The official
figures say there are 48 LGBT members imprisoned, but the number only states
those whose sexual orientations are “proven” with an official report when
admitted to the jail.
The report also says prison conditions are not suitable for inmates with
disabilities. For paralyzed inmates and those who are in wheelchairs, there is
not enough equipment, such as special beds to avoid bruises or exercising
materials. They also face difficulties when entering through the security
gates.
Eren also complained that the Justice Ministry only gave limited permission to
CİSST for its work.
“We wanted to see the prison cells, the main living areas of the inmates,” he
said.
