The Universal Patient’s Rights Association asked the Ministry of the Interior about prisoners’ right to access healthcare. In the statement, which also drew attention to the disabled prisoners in prisons, it was argued that the current situation is far from ideal, noting that all inaccessible places in prisons that restrict the mobility of the disabled should be made accessible.
The Universal Patients’ Rights Association questioned the right of prisoners in prisons in the country to access health care, and asked some questions to the Ministry of Interior.
In the statement made by the Universal Patient Rights Association, it was noted that there is an infirmary in the current prison where three guards work and they decide which case is urgent.
It was stated that the doctor came to the prison only twice a week, and the guards accompanied the prisoners due to the absence of a nurse, and this situation deprived them of their right to privacy.
In the statement, which also drew attention to the disabled prisoners in prisons, it was argued that the current situation is far from ideal, noting that all inaccessible places in prisons that restrict the mobility of the disabled should be made accessible.
In the statement, based on the European Prison Rules adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the questions that were formally forwarded to the Minister of Interior were shared as follows:
“How are prisoners informed about prison rules? Are the written rules written in language that every prisoner can understand? What measures have been taken to ensure that hygienic living conditions in the prison are ensured continuously and regularly for all prisoners?
Will free hygiene materials be provided to prisoners? Will there be regular access to hot water? Regardless of the number of people in prison, will there be enough staff and ambulances for nurses, social workers, 24-hour doctors, hospital referrals?
How many disabled prisoners are in prison? And has it been determined what kind of support they need specific to their disability? Is the new prison designed to meet the needs of all types of disability? Bathroom, are the toilets and sinks suitable for the needs and conditions of the disabled?
Were all security practices and controls at the entrance and exit stage of the prison and inside the prison organized considering the needs and conditions of disabled prisoners, lawyers and visitors?
What opportunities have been created for sign language translation among foreign prisoners who only speak sign language? Are there alternative wards where detainees/prisoners can be isolated in cases of epidemics such as scabies and flea infestations in the past?
Has sufficient budget been allocated to fill the Central Prison Staff specified in the Central Prison Amendment Law?” Is it organized taking into account the needs and conditions of lawyers and visitors?
In the statement, it was noted that according to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, detainees and convicts have the same health and well-being rights as everyone else, and it was emphasized that the health services provided in prison should at least be equivalent to community health services.
Despite the fact that international agreements and conventions give detainees and convicts inalienable and inalienable rights, prisons in many countries, including those in the north of Cyprus, are not “safe” places.
It was mentioned that studies should be carried out with a perspective and long-term and systematic programs should be organized to meet the needs of the disabled.