Sevda Karaca, Deputy Chairperson of the Labor Party (EMEP) and Member of Parliament for Gaziantep of Turkey, shared a prison report with the public on the occasion of Human Rights Day on December 10. Karaca stated, “On this Human Rights Day, let us not forget the prisoners subjected to horrific conditions, oppression, and inhumane practices in prisons.”
In her report, published to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Karaca drew attention to the conditions in Turkish prisons. Based on over 30 letters from prisoners and notes taken during prison visits, the report highlights three main issues. Karaca stated, “For 1.5 years, we have received numerous letters from all types of prisons across the country. We visited prisons, met with inmates and their families, collaborated with lawyers, and filed complaints about human rights violations.”
According to Evrensel, the report notes that the most severe human rights violations occur in Y-Type, S-Type, and high-security prisons, referred to by inmates as “wells” or “graves.” These facilities reportedly impose inhumane isolation practices.
Harsher Conditions in New Prisons
The report reveals that instead of closing the controversial F-Type prisons, infamous for their inhumane and degrading conditions, even harsher facilities such as S-Type, Y-Type, and high-security prisons have been introduced. In these prisons, inmates are held in complete isolation, which severely affects their psychological and physical health. Many inmates also face frequent arbitrary transfers.
In letters from prisons in İzmir and Kocaeli, inmates describe how the construction of these new facilities has led to “random” transfers of prisoners, often political detainees already subjected to harsh conditions. The report notes, “These cell-based prisons have normalized solitary confinement, making it a standard practice.”
Ventilation Rights Restricted
Cells in these facilities lack proper ventilation, a common grievance in letters from inmates. At Buca High-Security Prison, inmates Oktay Kelebek and Cem Dursun highlighted that their cells are poorly ventilated:
“According to the penal code, all inmates except those serving aggravated life sentences have the right to access outdoor areas throughout the day. However, in these ‘well-type’ prisons, we cannot exercise this right. The small window, which is our only connection to the outside, is covered with thick metal bars and additional wire mesh, allowing hardly any air to enter.”
Prisoners, confined to their cells for 22-23 hours daily, also report that they are denied opportunities for social interaction and exercise. Communication with guards is limited to intercom systems, and they have access to an emergency button only for critical medical situations. Additionally, the electronic doors pose a safety risk in emergencies. The cells are monitored by cameras 24/7, including in bathrooms, and inmates have limited access to periodicals. Guards frequently disrupt their sleep with noise at night.
Parallel Judiciary: Administrative Observation Boards
The report criticizes the Administrative Observation Boards (AOB), which have been operational since January 2021. These boards have arbitrarily extended the sentences of 384 inmates between 2021 and 2023, delaying their release by three months to a year or more. Letters from prisoners such as Mehmet Hüseyin Öz in Gaziantep H-Type Prison, Şükrü Yıldız in Tekirdağ No. 2 F-Type Prison, and Saadet Akın in Sincan Prison highlight these unjust practices. The report emphasizes that these delays are based on vague and unfounded reasons.
Left to Die: Sick Prisoners
The report also sheds light on severely ill prisoners who, despite medical reports deeming them unfit for detention, are often not released. Many have reportedly died under these conditions. “Given the circumstances in these prisons, it is evident that they exacerbate illnesses rather than provide any chance of recovery,” the report states.
One striking example is Selver Yıldırım, who began experiencing eye problems in 2014. Despite her worsening condition, her transfer to a hospital took months. When she finally saw a doctor, she was handcuffed during the examination and refused treatment. After years of neglect, Yıldırım lost vision in her right eye and 85% of her left eye. The prison administration has also denied her prescribed glasses and magnifiers.
The report also mentions the cases of Mehmet Güvel, a 78-year-old inmate with multiple health conditions, and Mehmet Hüseyin Öz. It concludes that these inhumane conditions reflect a punitive approach that prioritizes hostility over rehabilitation, leaving inmates with no option but death.
Endless Rights Violations
The report outlines other significant issues, such as the deliberate transfer of inmates to distant prisons, which isolates them from their families. A letter from Sincan Prison, signed by multiple inmates, highlights that prisoners with decades-long sentences are held far from their families, making visits impossible for those with financial difficulties.
Restrictions on access to books and periodicals are also prevalent. Veysel Şahin, an inmate at Bolu F-Type Prison, notes that publications like Halk Okulu and Tavır, previously accessible, are now arbitrarily withheld, even without official bans.
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Letters Prohibited or Censored
The report also highlights restrictions on inmates’ correspondence with the outside world. Many letters, especially those written to lawyers, MPs, or human rights organizations, are blocked or heavily censored. Prisoners have complained about being unable to raise awareness of their dire situations due to these practices.
For instance, in Şakran T-Type Prison, inmates reported that letters discussing inhumane conditions are systematically rejected under the pretext of “security risks.” This practice prevents the public and human rights groups from learning about the violations occurring in these facilities.
Psychological Pressure Through Arbitrary Penalties
The prison administrations frequently impose arbitrary disciplinary actions as a means of psychological pressure. Inmates face penalties such as solitary confinement, restricted visitation rights, and limited communication with the outside world for minor or baseless reasons.
One letter from a prisoner at Diyarbakır Prison detailed how inmates are punished for actions as trivial as leaving their slippers outside their cells. These penalties contribute to a climate of constant fear and stress, which further deteriorates prisoners’ mental well-being.
Isolation of Political Prisoners
The report also notes that political prisoners are especially targeted for harsh treatment. They are often placed in solitary confinement for extended periods, face systematic denial of their basic rights, and are subjected to degrading treatment during transfers or interrogations.
Political inmates report being pressured to provide confessions or implicate others under threats of further isolation or denial of medical care. The report cites multiple examples of such cases, underlining that these practices constitute a violation of both Turkish and international law.
Recommendations
The report concludes with a set of urgent recommendations to address the human rights violations in Turkish prisons:
- Closure of Isolation Prisons: The immediate closure of Y-Type, S-Type, and high-security facilities to end the normalization of inhumane solitary confinement practices.
- Improved Living Conditions: Ensuring that all prisons comply with international standards for ventilation, healthcare access, and basic hygiene.
- Independent Oversight: Establishing independent monitoring bodies to investigate allegations of abuse and hold those responsible accountable.
- Release of Sick Prisoners: Urging the release of severely ill inmates to prevent further deaths in custody.
- Fair Treatment for Political Prisoners: Ending discriminatory practices and ensuring that political detainees are treated in accordance with the rule of law.
- Reform of Administrative Observation Boards: Abolishing or significantly reforming these boards to prevent arbitrary extensions of prison sentences.
Call to Action
Karaca concluded her statement by calling on civil society organizations, human rights groups, and the international community to take action against these violations. She stated, “Prisons in Turkey have become instruments of oppression rather than rehabilitation. It is our collective duty to stand against these injustices and advocate for the fundamental rights of all prisoners.”
The report has already sparked discussions among human rights organizations, with calls for immediate investigations into the conditions described. Whether these findings will lead to concrete changes remains to be seen, but they have undeniably shed light on a crisis that demands urgent attention.
