Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

February 11, 2022

Brasil: Visita del órgano de prevención de la tortura de la ONU para reforzar el mecanismo nacional de prevención de la tortura

News

South America Torture Brazil

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

January 18, 2022

Years in the Row

Analysis Thematic paper

Africa Women Asia Europe Minors Foreign prisoners Discipline Health Mental health Drugs Material conditions Overcrowding Death penalty Torture

Some people fear death every morning. Others are sentenced to death in countries that no longer carry out executions. At least 483 executions were documented in 2020. Prison Insider publishes an overview of practices in nine countries that have not abolished the death penalty.

January 18, 2022

DRC: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Analysis

Africa Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties Congo - Kinshasa

Since 2003, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has observed a de facto moratorium on executions. The authorities do not release any information regarding the application of the death penalty in the country.

January 18, 2022

Mauritania: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Analysis

Africa Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties Mauritania

Mauritania has a moratorium on executions. Figures about the prisoners sentenced to death are scarce, as is information on their detention conditions. These prisoners are under the same detention regime as the rest of the prison population.

January 18, 2022

Belarus: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Analysis

Europe Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties Belarus

Belarus is the only European country where the death penalty is applied. Data relating to death sentences and executions are confidential. The time between trial and execution is very short. The country has been condemned several times for failing to respect the right to a fair trial.

January 18, 2022

Japan: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Analysis

Asia Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties Japan

No executions were recorded in Japan in 2020, for the first time since 2011. Reportedly, more than 25% of people sentenced to death are over the age of 70 and two of them have been incarcerated for over 40 years.

January 18, 2022

Indonesia: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Analysis

Asia Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties Indonesia

No execution has been recorded since 2016. The number of sentences, however, has been on the rise. Since 2014, Indonesia has increased its efforts in the war on drugs after Indonesian President Widodo described it as a “national emergency”.

January 18, 2022

Cameroon: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Analysis

Africa Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties Cameroon

Since 2014, an anti-terrorism law has led to a sharp increase in death sentences in Cameroon. Official data is lacking and is sometimes inconsistent with figures published by civil society organisations.

January 18, 2022

Pakistan: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Analysis

Asia Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties Pakistan

In 2015, Pakistan accounted for 20% of executions worldwide. However, 2020 saw a suspension of executions and a decline in sentences. Currently, there are more than 4,000 prisoners sentenced to death awaiting execution.

January 18, 2022

Malaysia: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Asia Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties Malaysia

In 2018, Malaysia had a change in government for the first time since its independence. The new administration has committed to abolishing the death penalty for all crimes. Malaysia has had a moratorium on executions since this date.

January 18, 2022

India: detention conditions of people sentenced to death

Analysis

Asia Access to legal rights Material conditions Death penalty Torture Social ties India

Most prisoners sentenced to death in India have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment during their judicial process. This can take several years given the duration of the procedures.

January 12, 2022

Mexico: Torture feeds corruption

Interview

North America Justice Torture Violence Mexico

The use of torture is very common in Mexican prisons and few procedures exist for repairing the damage caused to the victims. The Mexican League for the Defense of Human Rights is taking steps to resolve this situation. Interview.

January 10, 2022

Colombia: Familiares de presos políticos encarcelados en La Modelo y otras cárceles denuncian torturas

News

South America Torture Violence Colombia

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

January 6, 2022

Ukraine : Un ancien détenu d’une prison secrète du Donbass raconte

News

Europe Material conditions Torture Ukraine

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

January 6, 2022

Syrie : le “piano” de la mort de la prison de Palmyre

News

Middle East Death penalty Torture Syria

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

December 20, 2021

Bahrain: the death of political dissidence

Interview

Middle East Material conditions Death penalty Torture Bahrain

Use of the death penalty has increased by 600% in the last decade. Many of those sentenced to death are political prisoners. Torture and the death penalty are allegedly used as strategic tools against political opponents.

December 7, 2021

Russia: “They’re killing us!”

News Investigations

Asia Europe Discipline Torture Russia

Prison Insider was contacted by an anonymous Russian source. They asked us to expose the abuse inflicted on prisoners in the Angarsk Penal Colony No. 15 following the riot there in April 2020. We explain how the events unfolded below.

November 29, 2021

Burkina Faso: Humiliation of LGBTQI+ Prisoners

Testimonial

Africa LGBTQI Material conditions Torture Violence Burkina Faso

LGBTQI+ prisoners are sometimes deprived of food and water while incarcerated.

October 14, 2021

Uruguay: Secuestro, torturas y abusos sexuales: escándalo por el caso de un recluso que denunció las terribles vejaciones que padeció en una cárcel

News

South America Torture Violence Uruguay

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

October 12, 2021

Russie : un lanceur d’alerte dénonce un système de viols organisés en prison

News

Europe Torture Violence Russia

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

October 11, 2021

Libye : des crimes contre l’humanité auraient été commis dans les prisons et contre des migrants

News

Middle East Torture Violence Libya

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

October 11, 2021

A very disturbing situation

Interview

Africa Europe Middle East Torture Violence

The torture and abuse of prisoners have become commonplace over the years. How did these excesses come about? A recently published report takes up this topic.

September 29, 2021

Uruguay: escándalo por reo que denunció tortura y abuso sexual en cárcel de Montevideo

News

South America Torture Violence Uruguay

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

September 27, 2021

Venezuela : L’ONU accuse le système judiciaire de violations des droits de l’homme

News

South America Justice Torture Violence Venezuela

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French