Number Detained in Batumi Prisons is Twice the Norm

Number Detained in Batumi Prisons is Twice the Norm

Tbilisi, June 26, 2005.  MediaNews. Members of the Parliamentary Committees on Legal Affairs and Human Rights visited Batumi Prison No. 3. They were shocked by what they saw and say that the situation there is truly alarming.

The Georgian MPs were also accompanied by the MPs of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and representatives of the US National Democratic Institute.

Batumi Prison No. 3 is designed to hold 220 prisoners.  However, the actual number of prisoners is double this number. 37 prisoners share a prison cell that is designed for 12 people and they have to take turns sleeping. Further, those that are weak with tuberculosis and hepatitis-C are placed in the same cell as healthy prisoners.

The prisoners expressed to the government representatives their discontent with prison conditions and legal justice.  According to them, some of the accused have already been waiting for court decisions for more than 10 months.

MPs of the above-mentioned Parliamentary Committees are planning to organise a visit to Shuakhevi to study this matter.