How are the rights of lifers respected?

Representatives of the Ukrainian Ombudsman inspected the Novgorod-Siversk penal institution of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine in Chernihiv region in terms of compliance with human rights in their activities.

Regional Public Relations Coordinator of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Commissioner for Human Rights in Chernihiv region Alla Lepekha, together with public activists Serhiy Burov (NGO “M’ART”) and Viktor Tarasov (Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights), conducted a monitoring visit to the Novgorod-Siversk penal institution No. 31 of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine in Chernihiv region.

The participants of the monitoring visit met without obstacles with the management of this institution, got acquainted with the conditions of serving the sentence, studied the living conditions, inspected the premises on the territory of the institution and conducted a personal reception of the convicts.

The peculiarity of the mentioned penitentiary institution is that it actually includes a pre-trial detention center, a detention center and a maximum security sector for the detention of men sentenced to life imprisonment.

As the participants of the monitoring visit testify, there are certain shortcomings in the activities of the Novgorod-Siversk Penitentiary, where 66 life prisoners, 17 prisoners, 6 people in a pre-trial detention center and 6 people left for economic maintenance are currently serving their sentences. In particular, those sentenced to arrest serve their sentences in semi-basement rooms, some cells require repairs to bathrooms and roofs, in some cases, the institution administration imposes regime restrictions on those sentenced to life imprisonment that are not provided for by law. Also, a negative practice of deducting funds from the personal accounts of such persons was identified, which are used to reimburse the cost of food, clothing, shoes, underwear, utilities and other services in the absence of the right to work.

In conversations with members of the monitoring visit, the convicts complained about the monotonous and poor-quality food, and the unsatisfactory condition of sanitary and hygienic facilities. Of particular concern to life-sentenced prisoners was the failure to implement some provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Criminal Enforcement Code of Ukraine Regarding Adaptation of the Legal Status of a Convict to European Standards”, which concern the ability to use mobile phones, the Internet, and serving a sentence within the administrative-territorial unit according to the place of residence before conviction or the place of permanent residence of relatives.

The members of the monitoring group also noted positive aspects in the activities of the institution: current repairs are being carried out, ten cells have been repaired, windows have been replaced in some rooms, furniture has been renewed, and 4 additional payphones have been installed. In addition, the prisoners spoke positively about the state of medical care provided to them.

Based on the results of the monitoring, a more detailed report will be prepared and the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Commissioner for Human Rights will send the relevant response acts to the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine.