ladyarkles
03-20-2005, 07:20 PM
Human rights conditions in Cambodian prisons have deteriorated on several fronts, due in large part to the increasing prison population. Since 1997, the population has grown at a steady rate. In one year alone, from 2000 to 2001, the prison population increased by 10%, that is 471 more inmates than the previous year. As at December 2003, the total population of prisoners in Cambodian prisons was 5711 individuals (in the 18 prison monitored by LICADHO). Of these the majority were men: Male adults 91.2% - Females 3.7% - Minors 5.1% The UN Special Representative to Cambodia observed that the overcrowding problem in Cambodian prisons has changed little in the past eight years. · The prison population has increased from 2933 in December 1998 to 5711 in December 2003 - an increase of 95%. However, the number of prisons has not increased to deal with this increasing number Overcrowding in 2002 was a particular problem in Kompong Thom, Battambang, Sihanoukville and Banteay Meanchay prisons (exceeding maximum capacity by 317%, 107%, 84% and 50% respectively)
This leads to many problems. For example:
In 2003 at one point nine prisoners were shackled together outdoors for 23.5 hours a day in Kompong Thom prison due to overcrowding
Prisoners are often transferred to less crowded prisons which means they are located far from their families upon whom they rely for much needed provisions and support
Some inmates are denied the required one hour out of their cell a day because of security concerns created by overcrowding.
Overcrowding remains a serious problem, in particular at Kompong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, and in Sihanoukville, where the prison population has grown considerably since the 1999 report. Attempts to alleviate overcrowding have been undertaken such as rebuilding existing facilities, but it remains a grave problem. For example, in Kompong Thom prison, each prisoner has approximately 0. 93 m2 living space, which marks a decrease from 1.70 m2 in 1998. This prison was designed to accommodate 40 persons according to the director; in 2001 it is shared by 120 inmates, triple its capacity.
Overcrowding also contributed to the lack of recreational time had by prisoners. Prisoners are entitled to one hour a day outside their cell. However, in practice some do not receive even this. The worst prisons are CC1 , PJ, Kandal and Kompong Thom. In CC1 during 2002, around 400 prisoners out of 1377 prisoners were let out each weekday for one hour. This meant they only get out every 3 to 4 days. In Kandal prison new prisoners were not being let out of the cell for one month because they had to pay for recreational time.
The Health situation in Cambodian Prisons is very poor. Prisoners have limited access to medical care. The health care provided by the official prison staff fails to meet the minimum standards set out in domestic and international law. Prison health workers receive only basic nursing training. In 2002, in one prison, a guard was fulfilling the role of medical officer with no medical training at all. A large percentage of diseases are preventable through a reduction in overcrowding, improved hygiene and facilities, provision of safe water and provision of a nutritionally adequate diet.
In the 12 prisons visited by LICADHO Medical Team:
51% of diseases were infectious diseases
18% were sanitation related
In 2001- 2002 the 2nd most common diagnosis was beri beri.
Inadequate funding makes it impossible to obtain a healthy diet. The prison authorities are allocated just 1000 riel a day ($0.25) to meet all the needs of an individual prisoner. Prisoners often rely on family members to bring additional food. Due to the remote locations of some prisons and the high costs for families to visit this is often not possible. Many families are not able to visit their family members in prison due to distance or an inability to pay the various payments they are made to pay, in contravention of Cambodian prison regulations and international standards. For example a visit to CC1 can cost 23,000 Riels ($5.75) in such payments, a huge sum for most Cambodians.
Following is a list of known prisons in Cambodia. Banteay Meanchey prison
Battambang prison
Kampot prison
Kandal prison
Koh Kong prison
Kongpong Cham prison
Kompoong Chhnang prison
Kompong Speu prison
Kampong Thom prison
Police Judicial (PJ)
Pursat prison
Siem Reap prison
Sihanoukville prison
Svay Rieng prison
Preah Vihear prison
Stung Treng prison
Kratie prison
Mondulkiri prison
Ratanakiri prison
Prey Veng prison
Correctional Center 2 (CC 1- the Prey Sar prison for women and children)
Correctional Center 1 (CC1 –formerly known as T3)
Correctional Center 1 (CC1 formerly known as T3)
Takeo Correctional Center 3 (CC3 also known as Trapaing Plong)
Toul Sleng (military prison in Phnom Penh)
Source: Save a Life (Foreign Prisoners Support Service)
This leads to many problems. For example:
In 2003 at one point nine prisoners were shackled together outdoors for 23.5 hours a day in Kompong Thom prison due to overcrowding
Prisoners are often transferred to less crowded prisons which means they are located far from their families upon whom they rely for much needed provisions and support
Some inmates are denied the required one hour out of their cell a day because of security concerns created by overcrowding.
Overcrowding remains a serious problem, in particular at Kompong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, and in Sihanoukville, where the prison population has grown considerably since the 1999 report. Attempts to alleviate overcrowding have been undertaken such as rebuilding existing facilities, but it remains a grave problem. For example, in Kompong Thom prison, each prisoner has approximately 0. 93 m2 living space, which marks a decrease from 1.70 m2 in 1998. This prison was designed to accommodate 40 persons according to the director; in 2001 it is shared by 120 inmates, triple its capacity.
Overcrowding also contributed to the lack of recreational time had by prisoners. Prisoners are entitled to one hour a day outside their cell. However, in practice some do not receive even this. The worst prisons are CC1 , PJ, Kandal and Kompong Thom. In CC1 during 2002, around 400 prisoners out of 1377 prisoners were let out each weekday for one hour. This meant they only get out every 3 to 4 days. In Kandal prison new prisoners were not being let out of the cell for one month because they had to pay for recreational time.
The Health situation in Cambodian Prisons is very poor. Prisoners have limited access to medical care. The health care provided by the official prison staff fails to meet the minimum standards set out in domestic and international law. Prison health workers receive only basic nursing training. In 2002, in one prison, a guard was fulfilling the role of medical officer with no medical training at all. A large percentage of diseases are preventable through a reduction in overcrowding, improved hygiene and facilities, provision of safe water and provision of a nutritionally adequate diet.
In the 12 prisons visited by LICADHO Medical Team:
51% of diseases were infectious diseases
18% were sanitation related
In 2001- 2002 the 2nd most common diagnosis was beri beri.
Inadequate funding makes it impossible to obtain a healthy diet. The prison authorities are allocated just 1000 riel a day ($0.25) to meet all the needs of an individual prisoner. Prisoners often rely on family members to bring additional food. Due to the remote locations of some prisons and the high costs for families to visit this is often not possible. Many families are not able to visit their family members in prison due to distance or an inability to pay the various payments they are made to pay, in contravention of Cambodian prison regulations and international standards. For example a visit to CC1 can cost 23,000 Riels ($5.75) in such payments, a huge sum for most Cambodians.
Following is a list of known prisons in Cambodia. Banteay Meanchey prison
Battambang prison
Kampot prison
Kandal prison
Koh Kong prison
Kongpong Cham prison
Kompoong Chhnang prison
Kompong Speu prison
Kampong Thom prison
Police Judicial (PJ)
Pursat prison
Siem Reap prison
Sihanoukville prison
Svay Rieng prison
Preah Vihear prison
Stung Treng prison
Kratie prison
Mondulkiri prison
Ratanakiri prison
Prey Veng prison
Correctional Center 2 (CC 1- the Prey Sar prison for women and children)
Correctional Center 1 (CC1 –formerly known as T3)
Correctional Center 1 (CC1 formerly known as T3)
Takeo Correctional Center 3 (CC3 also known as Trapaing Plong)
Toul Sleng (military prison in Phnom Penh)
Source: Save a Life (Foreign Prisoners Support Service)