Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

June 9, 2021

Yemen: detainees tortured and arbitrarily detained for years then forced into exile upon release

News

Pre-trial detention Middle East Foreign prisoners Access to legal rights Torture Violence Yemen

The Huthi de facto authorities in Yemen must not use arbitrarily detained prisoners as pawns in ongoing political negotiations, a new report by Amnesty International said today.

June 9, 2021

France : en prison, on se suicide dans l’indifférence

News

Europe Mental health Suicide Violence France

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

May 27, 2021

Guatemala: sangriento motín en cárcel de Guatemala deja siete reos decapitados

News

Central America and the Caribbean Violence Guatemala

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

May 27, 2021

España: cuatro de las 12 operaciones contra el yihadismo en 2021 en España tuvieron lugar en cárceles

News

Europe Protest Violence Religion Spain

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

May 25, 2021

South Africa: inmates complain about the excessive use of force by prison officials

News

Africa Protest Violence South Africa

The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) said it has been approached by inmates, officials, and associations representing inmates, to address the alleged excessive use of force by correctional officials on inmates.

May 18, 2021

Egypt: family of detainee who alleged torture and sexual abuse in prison arrested

News

Middle East Torture Violence Egypt

Parents and sibling of Abdelrahman al-Shweikh were arrested after family shared information about treatment of the political prisoner

May 11, 2021

Colombia: octava jornada de protestas mientras organizaciones denuncian cerca de 40 fallecidos

News

South America Protest Violence Colombia

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

May 11, 2021

Niger: the cost of living

Testimonial

Africa Pre-trial detention Health Material conditions Facilities Overcrowding Violence Niger

Two prisoners attest to their conditions in overpopulated prisons. A way to survive: pay, every month, for access to better prison conditions.

May 6, 2021

Colombia: por qué el país está en un escenario sin precedentes

News

South America Protest Violence Colombia

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

May 6, 2021

Malta: inmate claims solitary confinement retribution after speaking out on ‘campaign of terror’ in prison

News

Europe Long-term prisoners Justice Material conditions Torture Violence Malta

A prisoner who spoke out on breach of human rights and systematic terror within the prison facility, has been barred from contacting the outside world and thrown into solitary confinement. Correctional Services Agency denies allegations

May 4, 2021

New Zealand: waikeria prison's role as a flashpoint for public debate about jails

News

Oceania Protest Violence New Zealand

The fires that set Waikato’s waikeria Prison alight over summer may be out, but the impact of the protests there is ongoing.

May 4, 2021

Russia: Daghestani and Azerbaijani inmates sew mouths shut in Russia prison hunger strike

News

Asia Health Material conditions Protest Torture Violence Russia

Nine inmates of a prison colony in Smolensk sew their lips shut as part of a hunger strike over “inhuman treatment” at the hands of prison guards.

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

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

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 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

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 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.

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: 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

Líbano: torturas a personas refugiadas sirias detenidas arbitrariamente por cargos antiterroristas

News

Middle East Material conditions Torture Violence Lebanon

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

March 26, 2021

Saudi Arabia: human rights activist Mohammed al-Rabiah brutally tortured and at risk of lengthy prison sentence

News

Middle East Long-term prisoners Torture Violence Saudi Arabia

ALQST has learned that human rights activist Mohammed al-Rabiah was subjected to brutal torture in detention, including beatings, electric shocks, and being hung upside down. He currently faces trial before the Specialised Criminal Court (SCC), where the Public Prosecution is calling for a 25-year…

March 22, 2021

New Zealand: prison suicide attempt response suggests 'systemic issues'

News

Oceania Mental health Violence New Zealand

A leading advocate for prison reform says distressing findings of how an inmate was treated should lead to significant change within the criminal justice system.