Monitoring visit to SE “Korosten Correctional Colony (No. 71)”
On 20 June 2022, a monitoring group consisting of an assistant to a People’s Deputy of Ukraine, Kostiantyn Kasai; a member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Serhiy Zuikov; an assistant to a People’s Deputy of Ukraine, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn; a coordinator of KHPG programmes, Andriy Didenko; as well as a journalist for the “Poriad z vamy” (“Beside You”) News Agency, Oleksa Yaroslavtsev, conducted a routine visit to the state institution “Korosten Correctional Colony (No. 71)”.
The institution is located in the city of Korosten and is a medium-security correctional colony for men who have previously served sentences of imprisonment. A section of a pre-trial detention centre is located on the territory of the institution.
Previous visits by KHPG monitors: 1, 2.
The main tasks of the monitoring visit were to compare data from previous visits with current indicators, to analyse the institution’s operation during the war, and to clarify humanitarian needs.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The head of the institution is Colonel of the Internal Service Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Nikitchuk.
At the time of the visit, there were 97 fewer convicts in the colony than during the previous visit.
There were 27 people in the disciplinary isolation ward (DIZO), 2 in the high-security unit (PKT), and 1 in the pre-trial detention centre (SIZO).
There are 64 people registered with HIV; 4 with AIDS; 19 prone to suicide; 34 prone to self-harm; and 89 malicious violators of the detention regime (the number has decreased by 28 people). Regarding bodily injuries recorded in the log for 2021: upon arrival – 0, during stay in the institution – 23 people; for 2022: upon arrival – 0, during stay in the institution – 10 cases; special equipment was not used in 2022. The cost of maintaining one convict per day is 85 hryvnias.
Total number of convicts who died (in the institution’s medical unit/Ministry of Health facilities):
- in 2021 – 4 people;
- in 2022 – 3 people.
In 2021, the total number of released convicts was 243: paroled (Article 81 of the Criminal Code) – 83 people; under Article 82 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – 4 people. In 2022, the total number of released convicts was 107: paroled (Article 81 of the Criminal Code) – 38, under Article 82 of the Criminal Code – 1 person.
Due to martial law, production in the colony has significantly decreased. The total number of convicts employed under employment contracts is 130.
During the monitoring, no obstacles were created by the institution’s management. The monitors had the opportunity to visit any premises and sections of the institution, as well as to communicate with convicts on the condition of anonymity.
Accompanied by the deputy head of the institution for social and educational work, Vasyl Vasylovych Kyrylenko, the living quarters, medical unit, DIZO and PKT cells, bathhouse, and canteen were visited.
According to the administration, almost all convicts appealed to the President of Ukraine with a petition for a pardon to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine; 16 petitions were supported by the institution’s management, but only two were pardoned.
The utility section on the institution’s territory is planted with courgettes. There are also greenhouses in the colony.
Currently, the institution has the following needs for charitable assistance for convicts, taking into account their total number, in terms of food, detergents, essential items, and tableware:
- Food: sugar – 560 kg, salt – 250 kg, canned meat – 1,395 kg, canned fish – 1,485 kg, oil – 1,170 kg, assorted cereals – 2,610 kg, vermicelli – 370 kg, condensed milk – 50 kg, black tea – 20 kg.
- Detergents and essential items: toilet soap – 123 kg, washing powder – 140 kg, dishwashing liquid – 74 kg, shampoo – 12 kg, toothpaste – 18 kg, toothbrush – 616 units, disposable shaving blades – 616 units, toilet paper – 15 km.
- Tableware for the institution’s canteen: metal plate for first courses – 616 units, metal plate for second courses – 616 units, metal cup 0.25 L – 616 units.
DIZO/PKT
On the day of the visit, 27 people were in the disciplinary isolation ward, the majority being new arrivals; 2 people were in the PKT.
A renovated cell with heated floors was demonstrated. The lighting in this cell differs significantly in quality and complies with sanitary standards.
Repair works are ongoing in some cells. According to the institution’s management, there are difficulties in transferring funds for repair needs due to the war, so all repairs are carried out using funds from charitable organisations.
Individuals are held in the DIZO for various disciplinary offences, in particular, for refusing to clean or refusing to participate in physical exercises. All individuals held for disciplinary offences were interviewed. None of them contested the disciplinary measure or intends to do so. The prisoners raised questions about amnesty, which has not been granted for five years, and the “one day counts as two” sentence calculation, etc. There are no complaints against the administration.
In all DIZO cells, the beds were unlocked.
The monitors were able to communicate freely and privately with the convicts held in the DIZO/PKT.
One convict was held in the PKT. For refusing to go to the local sector as a systematic violation, he received 2 months, having previously received 14 days in the DIZO.
SHOP
The shop was closed, and the monitors were unable to check price differences.
MEDICAL UNIT
There is a designated area for sputum collection for tuberculosis prevention. Sputum microscopy is not carried out in the institution due to the lack of a laboratory; therefore, samples are sent directly to the laboratory in UPV No. 8, with results arriving within 1-2 days. Consequently, due to the lack of a clinical diagnostic laboratory in the medical unit, primary sputum examination is not performed.
Procedural room
Dr Volodymyr Oleksiyovych reported on a convict suffering from stage 4 cancer. He has been taken to various hospitals. Treatment and pain relief are being provided.
The medical unit provides 24-hour duty for medical staff to render emergency medical aid and to ensure convicts are provided with medicines. There is no information regarding convicts who have entered into declarations with family doctors while at liberty. No convict has requested to sign a declaration with a family doctor. During communication, no complaints were received from convicts regarding unlawful actions by medical personnel or institution staff, including torture, or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
In violation of clause 8, paragraph 5, chapter 2 of the Procedure, there is no isolation ward in the inpatient facility for individuals with mental disorders who pose a danger to others. Thus, the absence of an isolation ward for individuals with mental disorders creates an unsafe environment among convicts and puts the institution’s staff at risk.
Convicts with mental and behavioural disorders resulting from the use of psychotropic substances are not prescribed general strengthening therapy using substances that affect metabolic processes, nor sensitising therapy in the inpatient conditions of the medical unit.
Bodily injury logs were examined. The outpatient medical records (form 025/o) contain reports on such injuries, but lack the associated annexes in the form of photographs of the injuries, as provided for in clause 3, section 1, chapter II of the joint Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 15.08.2014 No. 1348/5/572 “On Approval of the Procedure for Organising the Provision of Medical Aid to Convicts to Imprisonment”. Drug-dependent individuals are NOT provided with socio-psychological support, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), relapse prevention, motivational interviewing, mutual aid groups, etc.
There is no opioid substitution therapy (OST).
Conditions for accommodating persons with disabilities are absent, specifically, there are no ramps, handrails, or other equipment.
The medical unit premises require major repairs. A tour of the inpatient wards, including 2 infectious disease wards, was conducted. No remarks or complaints were received.
CONVICT R.
The convict is waiting to be transferred to a specialised hospital. It is simply horrific. We have photos, but we cannot publish them because we promised the convict that the photos would be used only for internal use.
According to convict R., he developed an abscess (gum boil) while in the pre-trial detention centre. Over time, a simple abscess turned into a tumour. The diagnosis, “cancer of the right maxillary sinus, 4th clinical stage”, was established in Zhytomyr a few months ago. According to the convict, he was examined by a surgeon and other doctors.
The convict gave written consent for the processing of personal data and access to medical documentation, but representatives of the administration informed us that the documents of convict R. are with the Medical Consultative Commission (LKK) of the Korosten City Hospital, which is gathering documents for his release on health grounds. Convict R. has relatives at liberty who are waiting for him. To accelerate the release process for convict R., the institution’s management promised to provide an opportunity for communication with his lawyer via video conference.
LIVING ZONE
According to the institution’s management, since the country’s independence, the number of prisoners has decreased almost fourfold. This is due to changes in the Criminal Procedure Code and the decriminalisation of certain types of offences. Reconstruction of living premises from barracks to cubicle-type rooms is ongoing (photos 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29).
Almost every living ward has a multicooker, refrigerator, and microwave oven. Electricity meters are on each floor.
The convicts had no complaints or remarks.
A convict requested financial assistance after his release so that he could afford to travel home. The convict also stated that only after his release can he tell what is happening in the institution.
Convict K. approached us with a question about obtaining a passport. He noted that he resides in the Chernihiv region, where hostilities are currently taking place.
Since very few convicts have been pardoned for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, convicts continue to submit pardon petitions.
We helped draft a pardon petition for a convict who, according to him, served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and has combat experience. Representatives of the administration assured us of their assistance in the lawful procedure for exercising the convict’s right to appeal. Priority for release to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is given precisely to former military personnel.
There is also a problem with obtaining passports for those who received them in Soviet times and never changed them to Ukrainian ones.
Many convicts complained that they are not being taken into the army: “we wrote petitions and have been waiting for a long time”.
A convict also approached us, stating that his mother had died and 5 children were left behind. It was explained to him that he has the right to file a petition for release due to exceptional circumstances. Having five children can be interpreted as such a circumstance.
BATHHOUSE, LAUNDRY
The bath and laundry complex operates on firewood to save electricity. The barbershop is in operation.
The communal bathhouse is not equipped with a room for medical staff necessary for conducting examinations of convicts, meaning medical examinations are carried out in the presence of other convicts. The shower stalls are closed with plastic curtains.
