Only measure taken in prisons is to postpone visitation

2020-03-16 10:45:01


	 

	İSTANBUL - TUHAYDER manager Nazım Adıgüzel drawing attention to the prisons which are a risk group in terms of the spread of the coronavirus, said the areas used by the guards are being disinfected while the wards of the prisoners aren't.

	 

	24 prisoners were transferred to other prisons from İstanbul Maltepe Prison on March 9. 16 of them were transferred to Afyon Prison while 8 of them were transferred to Bandırma Prison. The prison administration did not inform the families of the prisoners about the transfer. Families could only learn about the transfer when their relatives in prison did not call them in their weekly phone right. Some of the families had to call the prison repeatedly to get the information while some had to go to the prison to find out their relatives were transferred.

	 

	Nazım Adıgüzel, a member of the Board of Assistance and Solidarity Association with the Arrested and Convicted Families (TUHAYDER), who stated that they were able to be aware of the situation with the notification of the families, stated that the detainees were removed from their wards in false pretences.

	 

	Stating that the prisoners' wards were raided at midnight, Adıgüzel said that the prisoners were removed from their wards under the pretext that a search will be made in some wards and their wards will be changed. Adıgüzel said the prisoners who questioned the whereabouts of their friends were beaten by the guards.

	 

	Adıgüzel also emphasized that the prisons are one of the most risky places in terms of coronavirus outbreak.

	 

	Stating that there are no precautions taken in the prisons where the detainees are staying while the areas where the officers use are being disinfected, Adıgüzel said: "We also saw the families visiting their relatives in prison. According to the families, the prison administrations said they did not care what the families would do and that they will not do anything for them. The areas used by guards and prison staff are being thoroughly disinfected while the wards are not. There are around 400 prisoners in these wards. There are sick prisoners in that, and children. There are wards used by more than 20 prisoners. The Minister of Health says they postponed the visits for 2 weeks. This is the only measure they have taken. If they want to take a serious measure, they must release the prisoners immediately."