|
Greater
care needed in treating women convicts
22.01. 2008
A few days ago, the Albanian
Helsinki Committee (AHC) observed the situation
of respect for the rights of women serving
prison terms in the Institution of Execution of
Criminal Decisions “Ali Demi,” in Tirana.
Comparing the previous situation
in this institution, we found visible
improvements, particularly in terms of the
implementation of educational programs and
different activities. Women convicts were
engaged in different work, such as the kitchen,
gardening, and handicrafts. Many of the
handicraft pieces created by the women convicts
were on display.
Nevertheless, AHC notices marked
deficiencies in physical conditions and legal
violations that touch upon the rights of women
convicts. Some of the violations are serious and
we may mention:
-
Infrastructure in the women’s
section remained unchanged for several
years. The 83 women convicts stayed in rooms
of 8 to 10 persons, which is in
contravention of article 23 of the law “On
the rights and treatment of persons
convicted to imprisonment.” The above
provision demands that the prison be built
in such a way as to fulfill the parameters
of as normal a life as possible in order for
as few convicts in one room as possible.
Nine years have passed since the approval of
the mentioned law and no new projects have
been implemented for having no more than 4
convicts per room.
-
There is no gynecologist in
this institution. According to institution
officials, this job is not provided for in
the staffing pattern of the institution.
Article 29 of the above law requires that
there be health services provided in these
institutions that match the needs for
protecting the health of convicts, in this
case, of women convicts. To AHC, it is
disturbing that there were 14 women convicts
in the Institution for the Execution of
Criminal Decisions “Ali Demi” in Tirana who
displayed severe mental problems such as
schizophrenia and personality disorders. In
these conditions, according to diagnosis by
the specialized doctor or the special medial
commission, and in keeping with the law,
such patients should be sent to specialized
institutions; furthermore, there is no
psychiatrist at this institution. Based on
interviews with basic role employees of the
internal regime in this section, we were
informed about aggressive behavior by these
patients toward institution personnel. This
makes curative and preventive measures
indispensable for the health treatment of
these women convicts.
-
Based on interviews with some
convicts and findings on site, it results
that toilets are not only out of the rooms,
but also in very bad hygienic conditions.
Besides, personal hygiene left much to be
desired because showers did not function and
the women convicts washed themselves twice a
week using a basin. AHC deems it necessary
to highlight the fact it has found such
deficiencies, shortcomings, and violations
also in previous observations.
Stemming from the findings of
this observation, the Albanian Helsinki
Committee calls upon the General Directory of
Prisons and the Ministry of Justice to make a
serious assessment of the case and undertake
respective measure for the improvement of the
situation.
|
