Shortage of Health Facilities; A Report on the Problems of Tehran’s Greater Prison

Inmates detained in Ward 4 of Tehran’s Greater Prison face numerous problems in various areas. The following report addresses some of these issues, including conditions related to hygiene, food and water, overcrowding of inmates, and lack of medical care.

According to a report by Hrana news agency, the news organ of a coalition of human rights activists in Iran, inmates detained in Ward 4 of Tehran’s Greater Prison face numerous problems in various areas.

The indifference of officials to prisoners’ conditions and violations of inmates’ rights have made the conditions of imprisonment even more difficult, particularly in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The following report addresses some of these issues, including conditions related to hygiene, food and water, overcrowding of inmates, and lack of medical care.

Due to high population density, at least 8 to 10 inmates in each cell sleep on the floor. According to an informed source, for 290 inmates detained in Reformatory 1 of Ward 4, only 8 toilets and 8 showers have been allocated, with two toilets being out of service due to damage. Additionally, inmates can only take hot water showers in the mornings from 5:00 to 5:30 a.m., and are deprived of hot water at all other times throughout the day and night.

According to this source, the monthly hygiene ration and items such as laundry powder, shampoo, or razors are not provided in proportion to the population. He told Hrana in this regard: “For a cell with 24 inmates, they provide 4 packages of laundry powder, and for 6 people one small bottle of shampoo. Even due to these limitations, 2 inmates are forced to share one razor. This issue itself violates hygiene standards and can lead to the spread of skin and infectious diseases.”

On the other hand, the prison’s sanitation facilities also lack necessary equipment and only provide painkilling medications. The condition of many sick inmates worsens day by day due to lack of proper medical care and the negligence of prison officials. For instance, Majid Keshvari, an inmate accused of public crimes who was transferred to Ward 4 of Tehran’s Greater Prison about 4 months ago to serve a 2-year disciplinary sentence due to the 2010 Qazvin Qarchak Prison riot, suffers from a hair cyst in the abdominal area. According to an inmate who was recently granted leave, Mr. Keshvari constantly bleeds from this area and needs surgery, but since 4 months ago, despite repeated requests for hospital transfer, he has been denied proper medical care. This is while he suffers from nervous and psychological problems and has previously attempted suicide several times.

Additionally, inmates’ food rations are insufficient and the quality of food in this prison is inadequate. On the other hand, items sold in the prison shop are presented at prices double the original cost. This has made it impossible for many inmates who lack financial means to purchase food, hygiene, and even drinking water items.

Source: Hrana