Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

May 4, 2021

Kazakhstan: two inmates in Kazakh prison swallow spoons to protest conditions

News

Asia Material conditions Suicide Violence Kazakhstan

Two inmates in a prison in Kazakhstan’s western region of Manghystau have swallowed spoons to protest against prison conditions, prompting an inspection of the facility by representatives of the Public Monitoring Commission and the National Preventive Mechanism – groups created to prevent torture a…

May 3, 2021

Georgia: prosecutor’s office detains former prison employee for inhuman treatment of prisoners

News

Europe Torture Georgia

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has detained an employee of Gldani prison, who systematically abused and mistreated prisoners in 2010-2012.

May 3, 2021

India: almost all jails in Maharashtra overcrowded, prison officials struggle to enforce ‘equitable distribution’

News

Coronavirus Asia Material conditions Overcrowding India

In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, all jails, including Mumbai Central, Thane, Taloja, Kalyan, Byculla and Byculla women’s jail, are overcrowded.

May 3, 2021

Nigeria: tension in Kano prison as death row inmates protest confiscation of mobile phones, marijuana

News

Africa Drugs Protest Death penalty Violence Social ties Niger

Some death row prisoners at Kurmawa Prison in Kano have staged protests over confiscation mobile phones, marijuana and other prohibited items smuggled to them by visitors.

April 29, 2021

Malta: the Corradino correctional facility is “diabolical” and the prison system should be completely revised

News

Europe Material conditions Facilities Overcrowding Rehabilitation Malta

Dean of the Faculty of social wellbeing Andrew Azzopardi said that it is “bursting at the seams”. “A few years ago, we were speaking about 200 to 300 people spending time in jail. It is now full up“

April 29, 2021

Bahrain: tensions rise in Bahrain prison as inmates' families protest conditions

News

Coronavirus Middle East Health Protest Violence Bahrain

Tensions had been rising in the country’s main Jau prison since an outbreak of COVID-19 last month

April 29, 2021

Ghana: Ho prison infirmary upgraded to health centre

News

Africa Health Material conditions Overcrowding Ghana

The Ho central prison infirmary has been upgraded to a health centre to properly serve the health needs of inmates and officers of the prison.

April 28, 2021

Italia: detenidos en Francia siete exmiembros de las Brigadas Rojas italianas

News

Europe Foreign prisoners Justice Violence Italy

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

April 28, 2021

Irán impone otro año de cárcel a Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, la iranobritánica que liberó el pasado marzo

News

Middle East Foreign prisoners Justice Material conditions Iran

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

April 28, 2021

Egypt: nine people put to death in chilling Ramadan executions

News

Africa Middle East Death penalty Egypt

By carrying out these executions during the holy month of Ramadan the Egyptian authorities have displayed a ruthless determination to persist with their escalating use of the death penalty.

April 28, 2021

Russia: human rights crisis deepens as Navalny supporters arrested en masse

News

Pre-trial detention Asia Europe Health Protest Violence Russia

Russian authorities unleashed a crackdown on peaceful protesters demanding the release of Aleksei Navalny, arresting at least 1,700 and using excessive force, including tasers, at demonstrations around the country.

April 28, 2021

Saudi Arabia: fears for health of imprisoned human rights defender held incommunicado

News

Coronavirus Middle East Health Overcrowding Social ties Saudi Arabia

Fears are growing for the health and wellbeing of imprisoned human rights defender Mohammed al-Qahtani, who has been held incommunicado after testing positive for Covid-19 in Saudi Arabia’s Al Ha’ir prison, said Amnesty International.

April 20, 2021

Ireland: prison university project to "bring third-level to those furthest away from it"

News

Culture Europe Activities Rehabilitation Work Ireland

A programme to support prisoners to go to university, and “bring third-level education to those furthest away from it” will be unveiled by minister for Justice Helen McEntee and her colleague, minister for Higher Education Simon Harris.

April 15, 2021

Egypt: building Egypt’s expansive and oppressive prison system

News

Africa Material conditions Egypt

A new report from the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) reveals how Egypt built dozens of jails since the January 2011 revolution to keep thousands of prisoners, including roughly 65,000 prisoners of conscience, behind bars.

April 14, 2021

No longer the product of my crime (but of my creativity)

Testimonial

Culture Europe Long-term prisoners Activities United Kingdom

“Being encased within steel and mortar shouldn’t alter the fundamental essence of a human being. Amid the brutality and apathy of the prison system, some find the ability to be creative” (Steeldoorstudios exposes the challenges of the creative process in prison.)

April 8, 2021

Nigeria: IPOB reacts to attack on Imo prison, reports of ESN links to south-east crisis

News

Africa Violence Nigeria

The IPOB also reiterated that its members and the Eastern Security Network have never involved in assaulting Nigeria’s security operatives.

April 8, 2021

Nigeria: how at least 2,000 inmates were freed by gunmen at Imo prison

News

Africa Protest Violence Nigeria

The gunmen also attacked the nearby office of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the state police command, also freeing suspects there.

April 7, 2021

Thailand: Thai protest leader on hunger strike given IV drip in prison

News

Asia Health Material conditions Thailand

One of the leaders of Thailand’s pro-democracy movement was being administered an intravenous fluid drip in prison on Friday after officers said they found him weakened because of a hunger strike that has lasted longer than two weeks.

April 7, 2021

Russie : Alexeï Navalny entame une grève de la faim pour protester contre l’absence d’accès à des soins

News

Asia Europe Health Torture Russia

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

April 1, 2021

Brazil / USA: female mass incarceration

Analysis

North America South America Women Long-term prisoners Drugs Brazil

Brazil and the United States are amongst the countries that incarcerate the highest numbers of women. What policies and practices do these countries have in common?

March 31, 2021

Egypte : 16 personnes, dont au moins trois femmes, exécutés pour des faits de droit commun

News

Middle East Death penalty Violence Egypt

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

March 30, 2021

Venezuela: tragedia de Policarabobo, tres años de retardo procesal, frustración, dolor y sed de justicia

News

South America Access to legal rights Material conditions Facilities Protest Venezuela

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

March 30, 2021

Venezuela: se filtra video de agresiones a reclusos del Rodeo III por parte de custodios

News

South America Violence Venezuela

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

March 30, 2021

Brasil: Xuxa propuso que se prueben vacunas y medicamentos en presos “que al menos sirvan para algo”

News

Coronavirus South America Health Brazil

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