Report on the Results of a Monitoring Visit to the Voznesensk Correctional Colony No. 72

On 10 September 2025, in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, taking into account the provisions of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, and on the basis of Article 24 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine — ‘Visiting penal institutions’, a group of monitors from the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group and the NGO ‘Protection of Prisoners of Ukraine’ visited the state institution ‘Voznesensk Correctional Colony (No. 72)’ (VKK-72, the institution, the facility, the colony). A scheduled unannounced visit was conducted, and all facilities of the institution were examined.

During the preparation for the visit, the monitors used materials from appeals made by prisoners and their relatives, as well as a report by monitors of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

The visit was conducted within the framework of the project ‘Reducing the Suffering of Prisoners in the Context of the War in Ukraine’, funded by the government of Denmark in partnership with DIGNITY (Danish Institute Against Torture).

The visit was carried out by the following monitors:

• Andrii Didenko — assistant to the People's Deputy of Ukraine Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, programme coordinator of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, has experience with monitoring visits since 2014, NPM monitor, member of the NPM advisory board;
• Serhii Zuikov — assistant to the People's Deputy of Ukraine Kostiantyn Kasai, member of the public council under the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, member of the public organisation ‘Protection of Prisoners of Ukraine’, NPM monitor, has many years of experience with monitoring visits;
• Artemii Shumniy — journalist for the news agency ‘Protection of Prisoners of Ukraine / PROTECTION FOR PRISONERS OF UKRAINE’, lawyer for the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, NPM monitor.

The administration of VKK-72, within the framework of the Strategy until 2026, has carried out a number of improvements: major repairs in the Social-Psychological Service (SPS) units and classrooms of the Vocational Training Centre, repair of the boiler room, operation of a field kitchen, regular evacuation drills and training with the State Emergency Service, and the holding of international cynology competitions and celebratory events for national holidays.

At the same time, systemic violations of national and international standards were recorded: in the Quarantine, Diagnostic and Distribution (KDiR) ward — floor space norms, a surplus of beds, and a lack of utility rooms and privacy; in the Disciplinary Isolation Unit (DIZO/PKT) — a shortage of functional rooms, poor natural lighting, sanitary facilities without proper partitions, and the display of cards with details on crimes; the use of ‘dnuvalni’ (orderlies), the open carrying of special equipment, and understaffing.

Labour organisation shows signs of employment relationships but is massively formalised as civil-law contracts — without employment agreements, timesheets, or transparent pricing, which leads to reduced payments, improper calculation and payment of the Single Social Contribution (SSC), and the loss of insurance service time.

In the medical unit, key positions are vacant, there are gaps in informed consent and the recording of injuries, and access to Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) and telemedicine is limited, along with problems regarding infectious isolation, equipment, and fire safety.

General Information

VKK-72 is a medium-security penal institution for holding men sentenced to imprisonment for the first time for committing serious and especially serious crimes.

The institution is located at: 300 Kyivska St., Voznesensk, Mykolaiv Region, 56500.

VKK-72 is located on the outskirts of the city of Voznesensk in the Mykolaiv region and was established on the basis of a correctional labour facility that had operated since the Soviet period. The institution was intended to hold men sentenced to imprisonment for the first time and, over time, became part of the State Criminal-Executive Service of Ukraine as a medium-security colony. Over the years of independence, it has undergone structural changes, re-profiling, and reorganisation several times in accordance with penitentiary system reforms.

Throughout its existence, the institution has had both production activities (woodworking, metalworking, and auxiliary divisions) and general education and social-educational units. The facility has repeatedly come to the attention of human rights organisations due to conditions of detention, the observance of prisoners’ rights, and labour organisation.

In the context of the State Criminal-Executive Service reforms after 2016, the colony remained an active penal institution, while simultaneously demonstrating problems typical of the system — outdated infrastructure, limited resources, a shortage of personnel, and the need for the humanisation of approaches to the treatment of prisoners.

At the time of the visit, the head of the institution was Colonel of the Internal Service Oleh Borysovych Nehrutsa.

The facility consists of a duty unit, a KDiR ward (quarantine, diagnostics, and distribution section), SPS units (social-psychological service), a food unit, DIZO premises (disciplinary isolation unit), PKT (cell-type premises), DPK (enhanced supervision section), an SIZO section (pre-trial detention centre), a medical unit, a bath and laundry complex, visitation rooms, a shop, a library, a parcel reception room, and administrative premises.

According to the administration of the institution, the staff headcount is 206.5 positions, and the actual headcount is 172.5 positions. The total understaffing is 34 employees. The planned capacity of the facility is 502 persons; the actual number of persons held in the institution is 442. There are 7 SPS units operating in VKK-72. There are also 2 psychologists working at the facility.

During 2024, 302 people arrived at the colony. During 2024, 2 people died; during the current year, 4. On the operational-preventive register there were: 8 people prone to suicide; 13 people prone to self-harm; 3 people prone to escape; 77 malicious violators of the detention regime.

During 2024-2025, no person submitted complaints regarding inadequate conditions of detention or inadequate medical care. 14 people have a disability: 3 people — Group I, 3 people — Group II, 8 people — Group III.

In their own possession, prisoners have 174 tablets, and 174 email addresses have been registered. The total number of rejected persons is 34. During 2024, 4 cases of bodily injuries were recorded during their stay in the institution; during the current year, 2 cases.

The monitoring group conducted interviews with about 203 prisoners during visits to production areas, workshops, SPS units, disciplinary and utility premises, during general conversations with the provision of advice, answers to questions, surveys regarding human rights violations, and individual communication with persons, including on the condition of anonymity.

Positive Experience

The administration of VKK-72, within the framework of fulfilling the conditions of the Strategy for Reforming the Penitentiary System for the period up to 2026, is carrying out measures to improve conditions for the detention of prisoners. In particular, major repairs have been carried out in the SPS units and in the classrooms of the Vocational Training Centre.

A field kitchen operates in the institution. Evacuation drills for prisoners are conducted in accordance with plans. International cynology competitions were held on the basis of the institution. Joint training sessions with State Emergency Service units are organised regularly. The institution's boiler room has been repaired. Ceremonial events dedicated to Ukraine's national holidays are held at the institution.

Detected Violations of National and International Legislation

During the monitoring visit, violations of national legislation requirements and non-compliance with international recommendations in the field of prisoner treatment were detected, which leads to the violation of the rights of convicted persons.

1. The equipment of the quarantine, diagnostics, and distribution ward (hereinafter — KDiR) does not comply with the standards for the treatment of prisoners and conditions of their detention in accordance with their needs. Thus, in violation of Part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine (hereinafter — CEC of Ukraine) and Rule 13 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, it was established that in certain residential premises of the KDiR ward, the residential area norm per prisoner is less than 4 m².

In residential premise No. 3 of the KDiR ward, where 8 beds are located and 7 people were staying, the area of the premise, according to the residential area measurement report, is 19.7 m². Thus, the actual area per convicted person is 2.81 m².

Furthermore, it was established that in the residential premises of the KDiR ward, the actual number of sleeping places exceeds the capacity required to ensure the area norm per person stipulated by legislation. Thus, in residential premise No. 2 of the KDiR ward, which, according to the measurement report, is designed for 5 places based on the norm of 4 m² per person, there are 8 beds. Similar violations were detected in premises No. 1 and No. 3.

The aforementioned violation creates conditions for potential abuse by the administration and personnel of the institution in the context of observing the residential area norm per convicted person and does not ensure proper personal space for held persons in sleeping quarters. In paragraph 13 of the Seventh General Report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (hereinafter — the Committee), it is noted that the problem of overcrowded cell-type premises leads to unhygienic conditions, a constant lack of privacy, and the overloading of medical services and the institution's infrastructure. The Committee concludes that the negative impact of overcrowding often results in inhuman or degrading conditions of detention for prisoners (CPT/Inf (97) 10).

2. In violation of the ninth paragraph of Part 1 of Article 8 and Part 1 of Article 118 of the CEC of Ukraine, the monitoring group established facts of the institution’s personnel involving a prisoner in the performance of work in the KDiR ward without concluding an employment contract. In particular, prisoner K. was involved in performing the duties of a ‘dnuvalni’ (orderly) without remuneration.

Furthermore, it was established that the said prisoner has the opportunity to stay in the KDiR ward and can also independently visit the canteen and the SPS unit to which he is assigned. Such actions contradict the provisions of Article 96 of the CEC of Ukraine, paragraph 4 of Section II of the Internal Regulations of Penal Institutions, approved by the order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 28.08.2018 No. 2823/5 (hereinafter — IR PI), as well as paragraph 2 of Section I of the Regulation on the KDiR ward, approved by the order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 04.11.2013 No. 2300/5, registered with the Ministry of Justice on 04.11.2013 under No. 1864/24396 (hereinafter — Regulation on the KDiR ward).

In the report following the 2020 visit to Ukraine, the Committee expressed serious doubts regarding the practice of using some prisoners as ‘dnuvalni’, who perform control functions over other prisoners in residential premises and at work, and report to staff about any incidents or regime violations. The Committee noted with concern that this practice continues to exist. Despite the specific recommendations previously given by the Committee, the practice of using ‘dnuvalni’ is still officially provided for by the Internal Regulations of Penal Institutions.

As previously noted, the Committee believes that any partial abdication of responsibility for order and safety in prisons, which is borne by the institution's security officers, is unacceptable. Such a practice exposes more vulnerable prisoners to the risk of ill-treatment and exploitation by other prisoners. The Committee calls on the Ukrainian authorities to take all necessary measures — including those of a legislative nature — to end this practice. No prisoner (in any penitentiary institution of the country) should have authority over other prisoners (CPT/Inf (2020) 40, paragraph 27).

3. The monitoring group established that the institution’s administration and personnel do not ensure the proper organisation of work with newly arrived prisoners. In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of Section II of the Regulation on the Quarantine, Diagnostic and Distribution Ward (KDiR), for the organisation of work with newly arrived prisoners, a working group is created by the order of the head of the institution, which includes deputies of the head of the institution, heads of structural units, a psychologist, and a medical professional.

With the goal of planning this work, a programme is drawn up annually for familiarising newly arrived prisoners with the order and conditions of serving their sentences, which is approved by the head of the institution. However, during confidential communication with prisoners and the analysis of official documentation, the monitoring group established that the members of the working group do not fully carry out the measures provided for by the said programme.

The lack of systematic organisation of work is confirmed by the corresponding entries in the visitor log of the KDiR ward by representatives of the administration. Thus, as of 10 September 2025, there were 7 people in the ward who arrived at the institution on 05 September 2025, while the last entry in the log is dated 06 September 2025, which may indicate that the prescribed measures were not conducted in the period from 07 September 2025 to 10 September 2025.

Furthermore, during the inspection of the visitor log of the KDiR ward by representatives of the administration, it was established that significant gaps (empty lines between entries) remain between individual entries, which creates the possibility for the subsequent insertion of information about the conduct of measures retroactively and indicates the formal nature of the maintenance of said log.

4. In violation of the requirements of the Standards for Provision of Furniture, Inventory, and Household Items for a Medium-Security Correctional Colony, approved by the order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 27.07.2012 No. 1118/5 (hereinafter — Provision Standards), the ward lacks a number of premises, namely: a room for storing food products; a room for storing the exchange fund of bedding, clothing, and special workwear; a pantry for the temporary storage of dirty bedding, clothing, and special workwear; a cloakroom; a utility room; a drying room. Furthermore, residential premises are not sufficiently equipped with bedside tables and stools in accordance with established standards.

The absence of said premises and the under-equipping of residential premises with furniture creates conditions that do not meet household standards, makes it impossible to properly observe sanitary-hygienic requirements, and complicates the maintenance of cleanliness and order in places where prisoners reside. This state of household organisation negatively affects the general sanitary state of the institution and may pose a risk to the health of persons held there.

5. Paragraph 1 of Section XXIII of the IR PI defines that the supervision of prisoners is a system of measures aimed at ensuring the serving and execution of criminal punishments in the form of restriction and deprivation of liberty, life imprisonment, and arrest through round-the-clock and constant control over the behaviour of prisoners in their places of residence and work, the prevention and suppression of unlawful actions on their part, and the ensuring of requirements for the isolation of prisoners and the safety of the personnel of penal institutions.

Thus, during the inspection of residential premise No. 2 of the KDiR ward, a fixed video surveillance camera was recorded. At the same time, in its 2012 report, the Committee criticised excessive interference with privacy through the installation of video cameras in prisoners’ residential premises: ‘The CPT agrees that video surveillance in cells can be a useful safeguard in specific cases, for example, when a person is considered to be of concern regarding the risk of self-harm or suicide, or if there are specific suspicions that a prisoner is carrying out certain actions in the cell that may endanger security.

However, any decision to apply video surveillance to a specific prisoner must always be based on an individual assessment of real risks and must be frequently reviewed on a regular basis. Video surveillance is a serious interference with the private life of prisoners and makes the regime even more repressive, in particular, when applied over a long period of time.’ (CPT/Inf (2013) 23, paragraph 52).

6. The equipment of the institution’s disciplinary isolation unit (hereinafter — DIZO/PKT) does not fully comply with established standards for the treatment of prisoners and does not ensure proper conditions of detention, taking into account their needs. Thus, in violation of the requirements of the Provision Standards, the DIZO/PKT lacks a number of premises, namely: rooms for the reception of prisoners by the administration and medical personnel; a room for storing the exchange fund of bedding, clothing, and special workwear; a pantry for the temporary storage of dirty bedding, clothing, and special workwear; rooms for food distribution, food storage, and dishwashing; a barbershop.

The absence of these premises or their improper arrangement leads to a violation of sanitary-hygienic norms. Inadequate organisation of the storage of personal belongings complicates the maintenance of cleanliness and order in premises where prisoners are held, which worsens the general sanitary situation in the institution.

The absence of a room in the DIZO/PKT for the reception of prisoners by medical personnel leads to the fact that medical examinations of prisoners are conducted in the hallway or in a cell premise, which indicates the disclosure of confidential information about the state of health of prisoners to the institution’s staff and other persons among the prisoners during medical examinations, manipulations, or procedures.

This violates the requirements of Article 39¹ of the Law of Ukraine ‘Fundamentals of the Legislation of Ukraine on Healthcare’ regarding the right of persons to confidentiality of their health status, and paragraph 9 of Section I of the ‘Procedure for Organising the Provision of Medical Care to Persons Sentenced to Imprisonment’, approved by 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.

7. Due to the small size of the windows in the DIZO cell premises, as well as the fact that the windows face a wall, a sufficient level of natural lighting is not provided, as a result of which natural light practically does not penetrate the premise. Such a state creates additional psychological pressure on prisoners due to the lack of visual contact with the outside world. This does not meet the requirements of Rule 18.2(a) of the European Prison Rules and Rule 14 of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules).

Sanitary facilities in DIZO cell premises are not equipped with sufficient partitions that provide for privacy, which violates Rule 19.3 of the European Prison Rules. At the same time, in the report to the Government of Ukraine following the 2023 visit, the Committee called on the Ukrainian authorities to take necessary measures to improve material conditions of detention, in particular: to maintain all places for the placement of prisoners and persons in custody, including sanitary premises, in a proper state of repair and hygiene; to carry out disinsection regularly and frequently; to ensure sufficient access to natural lighting and ventilation in cells; to fully equip internal sanitary premises with partitions (i.e., from floor to ceiling). (CPT/Inf (2024) 20, paragraph 58).

8. On the outer doors of the DIZO cell premises, cell cards are displayed with information containing a brief description of the crimes committed by the persons staying in the cells. In its report following the visit to Ukraine in 2020, the Committee stated that this practice should be stopped, as it serves no reasonable purpose and, besides stigmatisation, has the effect of damaging the relationship between prisoners and prison staff. (CPT/Inf (2020) 40, paragraph 52).

9. During the visit to the DIZO/PKT, it was established that for prisoners serving a disciplinary penalty in cell premise No. 3, the institution's administration did not issue a copy of the decision on the application of the penalty with an indication of the possibility and procedure for its appeal, which contradicts Article 135 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine.

At the same time, in the report to the Government of Ukraine following the 2023 visit, the Committee recommended that measures be taken in penitentiary institutions of Ukraine to ensure that prisoners to whom a disciplinary penalty has been applied systematically receive a copy of the corresponding decision. Furthermore, prisoners should be informed about their right to access a lawyer in the context of disciplinary proceedings. (CPT/Inf (2024) 20, paragraph 103).

10. The area of some exercise yards is insufficient to ensure the full physical activity of prisoners. Furthermore, exercise yard No. 1 is not equipped with a waste bin. At the same time, the Committee in its Second General Report emphasises that the daily stay of persons in the open air should take place in a yard of sufficient area, and the exercise areas themselves should, as far as possible, be equipped with shelter in case of adverse weather conditions. (CPT/Inf (92) 3, paragraph 48).

11. The monitoring group established a number of violations in the organisation of bath and laundry services for prisoners and detainees. Thus, in violation of paragraph 3.19 of Section III of the Regulation on the organisation of bath and laundry services for persons held in penal institutions and pre-trial detention centres, approved by the order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 08.06.2021 No. 849/5 (hereinafter — Regulation), the sanitary processing of prisoners is not carried out in full.

In particular, the monthly planned disinfection (destruction of pathogenic microorganisms) and disinsection (destruction of insects and mites — vectors of infectious diseases) of outerwear and bedding (pillows, mattresses, blankets) are not carried out in the disinfection chamber. Only items used in the KDiR ward during the reception of persons arriving at the institution are subject to processing, which is confirmed by entries in the disinfection (disinsection) log of clothing and bedding in the disinfection chamber. In violation of the requirements of Annex 3 to the Regulation, there is no toilet for staff in the laundry room.

12. In violation of the requirements of the Standards for the Provision of Tableware and Inventory for Canteens of Penal Institutions and Pre-trial Detention Centres, approved by the order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 08.06.2012 No. 848/5, plastic bowls are used in the canteen instead of metal ones.

13. According to information provided by the administration, in the period from July to August 2025 (as of 10.09.2025), 20 short-term visits were granted to prisoners in the State Institution ‘Voznesensk Correctional Colony (No. 72)’, all of which took place in a non-contact manner — through continuous dividing glass using an intercom system.

At the same time, in the report to the Government of Ukraine following the 2023 visit, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture emphasises that for all categories of prisoners, open visits (e.g., at a table) should be the rule, and closed visits the exception, the application of which is allowed only on the basis of justified and reasoned decisions after an individual assessment of the potential risk of a specific prisoner. In this regard, the Committee calls on the Ukrainian authorities to review the procedure for conducting short-term visits in penitentiary institutions with the aim of ensuring they are held, as a rule, in open conditions. (CPT/Inf (2024) 20, paragraph 99).

14. During the visit, the monitoring group recorded that the institution's personnel who have direct contact with prisoners carry special equipment openly, in particular rubber batons. At the same time, according to the eighth paragraph of paragraph 1 of Section XXVI of the IR PI, the carrying of special equipment by the personnel of penal institutions within the guarded territory of the institution should, if possible, be maximally concealed from the surroundings.

At the same time, the Committee recommends that penitentiary staff working in direct contact with prisoners should not carry special equipment (such as rubber batons, handcuffs, and tear gas canisters) openly before prisoners. Such carrying hinders the establishment of normal relations between staff and prisoners. (CPT/Inf (2011) 29, paragraph 23 (CPT/Inf (2013) 23, paragraph 166 (CPT/Inf (2014) 15).

15. According to official documentation, the understaffing of personnel at the institution as of 10.09.2025 amounts to 34 staff units (16.46%). At the same time, in the report to the Government of Ukraine following the 2023 visit, the Committee emphasises that ensuring a positive climate in a penitentiary institution requires a professional team of personnel who must be present in sufficient numbers at any moment in time in places of detention.

An insufficient number of personnel can only increase the risk of violence and intimidation between prisoners. The shortage of personnel who are on the front line also undermines the quality and level of measures offered to prisoners and jeopardises the prospect of preparation for release and social rehabilitation. In this regard, the Committee calls on the Ukrainian authorities to take decisive measures to substantially increase the number of personnel in penitentiary institutions of Ukraine, where a low level of staffing is observed, with the aim of strengthening the presence of security and supervision service personnel inside the institutions. Measures must also be taken to put an end to 24-hour shifts for staff on duty. (CPT/Inf (2024) 20, paragraph 93).

16. During the monitoring visit, it was established that a shelter is arranged on the territory of VKK-72, intended for the stay of prisoners and personnel during air raids or other emergency situations. The entrance to the shelter is marked with a corresponding information plate.

The shelter premise is sufficiently spacious and capable of accommodating a significant number of people.

During the inspection, it was established that the shelter is provided with reserves of drinking water in large-capacity containers, which is a positive practice as it complies with requirements regarding the creation of a minimum supply of vital resources in case of a prolonged stay of people underground. The shelter is equipped with basic furniture (benches, tables), and there is the possibility of placing people in a seated position. At the same time, significant shortcomings were established that could affect the safety and health of persons who will be in the shelter, namely: there is no second (emergency) exit.

This contradicts safety requirements, as in the event of the destruction or blocking of the main entrance, evacuation will become impossible. In accordance with paragraph 6.2 of the State Building Norms DBN V.2.2-5:2021 ‘Buildings and Structures. Protective Structures of Civil Defence’ and paragraph 5 of the ‘Rules for the Maintenance of Civil Defence Protective Structures’ (approved by the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated 09.07.2018 No. 579), shelters must have at least two independent evacuation exits. There is also no ventilation and air exchange system, which creates a risk of rapid carbon dioxide accumulation and a decrease in oxygen levels during a long stay of people in an enclosed space.

The requirement regarding the presence of a ventilation system is provided for by paragraph 7.16 of DBN V.2.2-5:2021, which states that shelters must be equipped with an air supply and purification system. The absence of a sewage system (sanitary facilities) was also recorded. Functionally, the shelter is not adapted for a long stay of people. The absence of sanitary conditions can lead to a violation of hygienic norms and the creation of a sanitary-epidemiological threat.

According to paragraph 7.22 of DBN V.2.2-5:2021, shelters must be equipped with toilets or chemical toilets. Thus, although the shelter formally exists and is partially provided with necessary resources, its condition does not meet the requirements for the safe stay of people in the event of an emergency, in particular, missile attacks or artillery strikes. Existing shortcomings may endanger the life and health of prisoners and personnel.

17. During the monitoring visit to VKK-72, a comprehensive study was conducted of documents relating to the organisation of prisoners’ work, its recording, and the terms of admission to work. In particular, copies of civil-law contracts, consolidated lists of prisoners involved in work at various facilities, exit-to-work logs and hourly checks, orders and dispositions, as well as information on the calculation and payment of wages to prisoners were analysed.

Separately, personal medical books, cards of periodic preventive examinations, as well as official correspondence between the institution and healthcare facilities regarding the organisation and conduct of mandatory medical examinations before admission to work were reviewed. Additionally, interviews were conducted with representatives of the institution's administration, medical unit staff, and prisoners who are involved in various forms of work (utility service, production work, work under civil-law contracts).

The purpose of the interviews was to clarify the actual working conditions, the order of recording working time, the level of payment, the provision of occupational safety measures, as well as obtaining information about possible cases of forced labour or involvement in work without proper medical clearance. This analysis allowed for the assessment of the real practice of involving prisoners in work at the institution, its compliance with the requirements of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine, the Labour Code, the Law of Ukraine ‘On Occupational Safety’, and international standards in the field of protecting the rights of persons deprived of liberty (Mandela Rules, European Prison Rules).

During the monitoring visit, an analysis was carried out of the documents regulating the involvement of prisoners in work, in particular: consolidated lists of persons, copies of civil-law contracts (CLC), logs of hourly checks and exits to work, records of the accrual of monetary remuneration, and personal medical books of prisoners admitted to work in the canteen and bakery. Interviews were also conducted with prisoners and the institution's administration staff.

It was established that prisoners provide for the main life processes of the institution; however, the formalisation of employment relations is not carried out in accordance with legislative requirements. Prisoners involved in food preparation, bread baking, dishwashing, and maintaining the sanitary condition of the canteen work daily, including on weekends and holidays.

In the bakery, work shifts begin at 5:30 a.m. Prisoners performing the functions of cooks and bakers have entered into civil-law contracts (CLC) with the wording ‘provision of services’; however, such contracts do not define the scope of work, the schedule, or the tariff rate, and payment is provided ‘based on the act of work performed’. In fact, prisoners perform constant work under the supervision of personnel, which is a sign of an employment relationship.

In the medical books of these persons, there are clearances in accordance with Ministry of Health Order No. 280, which confirms their actual status as canteen workers, but without proper formalisation of their legal status. Prisoners involved in the institution’s utility support clean premises and the territory, work in the laundry, service boiler equipment, perform minor repair and utility work, and work in the livestock block. The work is performed constantly, by order of the personnel, with fixed workplaces and a defined regime. In most cases, CLCs are concluded.

35 prisoners work in the sewing and woodworking workshops.

The work is performed daily, with set tasks and a controlled result. Prisoners reported that production quotas and tariff rates are not communicated to them, and payments are irregular and mostly minimal, which does not meet the principle of fair remuneration. 49 prisoners work in the branch of the enterprise at the institution. The work is of a production nature and is organised on a constant basis with a defined volume and deadlines for completion. However, civil-law contracts (CLC) have been concluded with these persons.

In the institution, CLCs are systematically applied in all units where prisoners work. In total, 112 people are registered under civil-law contracts (CLC), namely: 28 people — utility maintenance, 35 people — workshops, 49 people — enterprise branch. In accordance with Article 21 of the Labour Code of Ukraine, employment relations are characterised by the performance of work for a specific type of activity, subordination to internal regulations, supervision by the employer, and the provision of a workplace and means of work.

The work of prisoners at VKK-72 meets all the mentioned signs, and therefore should be formalised by an employment contract, not a CLC. Prisoner K. was concluded into CLC No. 190 from 07.07.2025 to 30.09.2025 regarding ‘services for the care of the sanitary condition of the canteen’. In fact, he worked daily from 06:00 to 19:00-20:00, which is constant employment activity. The accrued remuneration amounted to 700 UAH for August, which does not meet the standards of the minimum wage and Articles 118-121 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine.

The work of prisoners at VKK-72 has a systematic employment nature; however, it is not formalised as employment, is not paid in accordance with legislation, and is not provided with occupational safety guarantees. The use of CLCs in cases where employment relationships actually exist is a violation of Articles 21 and 24 of the Labour Code of Ukraine, Articles 118-121 of the CEC of Ukraine, and leads to the limitation of prisoners’ rights and the risk of forced labour, prohibited by ILO Conventions No. 29 and No. 105, as well as the Mandela Rules (Rules 97-103).

It was established that due to the substitution of employment relations with CLCs, the remuneration of prisoners is carried out irregularly, in reduced amounts, and without proper timesheets. By law, an employer is obliged to calculate and pay the Single Social Contribution (SSC) in the amount of 22% of the calculation base for persons performing work under employment contracts. Under a CLC, the SSC is also subject to calculation on the amount of remuneration to the performer; however, in practice at the institution, there is no evidence of systematic calculation, payment, and submission of reports regarding all involved persons.

Irregular and paltry payments (e.g., 700 UAH for August 2025 in the case of prisoner K.) lead to the payment of a contribution in an amount insufficient for the full crediting of the month towards insurance service time. A month of work is credited towards insurance service time only on the condition of paying at least the minimum insurance contribution (22% of the minimum wage for the corresponding month). If the contribution is paid from a smaller amount (as with the 700 UAH payment), the month is credited proportionally or may not be credited in full. As a result, prisoners lose insurance service time, which affects their right to and the amount of their future pension and related social benefits.

The absence of employment contracts and timesheet accounting makes it impossible to correctly calculate wages, SSC, and submit mandatory reports to the State Tax Service and the Pension Fund of Ukraine, which is a violation of the requirements of the Labour Code (Article 24 — proper formalisation of admission to work), the CEC (Articles 118-121 — remuneration and organisation of prisoners’ work), and financial discipline regarding the accounting of contributions. The substitution of employment relations with CLCs has led to the systematic non-calculation or incomplete calculation of SSC and, as a consequence, the loss or reduction of insurance service time for the involved persons.

This violates their rights to social security and contradicts the state's duty to guarantee lawful, paid, and socially protected work for prisoners. Cases of involving prisoners in daily repair-construction and loading work in SPS units without remuneration and without proper formalisation of employment relations have been recorded, which contradicts the requirements of Article 43 of the Constitution of Ukraine, Articles 118-120 of the CEC of Ukraine, and ILO Convention No. 29. Such actions show signs of forced labour and exploitation, as the work is performed systematically, by order of the administration, and brings direct economic benefit to the institution.

Medical Unit No. 72 of the Branch of the State Institution “Centre for Healthcare of the State Criminal-Executive Service of Ukraine” in the Mykolaiv and Odesa Regions

Acting Head of Medical Unit No. 72 of the Branch of the State Institution “Centre for Healthcare of the State Criminal-Executive Service of Ukraine” in the Mykolaiv and Odesa Regions — Volodymyr Anatoliiovych Novak.

In the staff of the medical unit, the following positions remain vacant: head of the medical unit, psychiatrist, paramedic (3 staff units). On the day of the visit, there were 7 sick people in the inpatient ward. During the monitoring visit, violations of the requirements of national legislation and non-compliance with international recommendations in the field of prisoner treatment were detected, which lead to the violation of the rights of convicted persons.

1. According to paragraphs 2 and 3 of Chapter III of Section II of the ‘Procedure for Organising the Provision of Medical Care to Persons Sentenced to Imprisonment’, approved by 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 (hereinafter — Procedure), a therapist (or general practitioner — family doctor), psychiatrist, and dentist must participate in the preventive medical examination.

At the same time, the position of psychiatrist in the medical unit is vacant, which indicates the incompleteness of the initial and preventive medical examination. In this regard, prisoners and detainees do not receive proper medical care. The aforementioned violates paragraph 38 of the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT/Inf(93)12-part), where it is indicated that medical services in places of deprivation of liberty must be able to provide medical care and treatment, as well as an appropriate diet, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or any other specialised care at the same level as that offered to patients in civilian medical institutions.

Also, provision must be made for medical, auxiliary medical, and technical personnel, and the medical unit must be properly equipped with premises, installations, and medical supplies.

2. In violation of the requirements of the Instruction for filling out the primary accounting documentation form No. 003-6/o ‘Informed voluntary consent of the patient to the conduct of diagnostics, treatment, and to the conduct of an operation and anaesthesia and to the presence or participation of participants in the educational process’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 14.02.2012 No. 110, the absence of signed forms of informed voluntary consent for diagnostics and treatment by patients who were in the inpatient ward of the medical unit was established.

This indicates the absence of voluntary consent from patients for the application of methods of diagnostics, prevention, and treatment to them, which is a violation of Article 43 of the Law of Ukraine ‘Fundamentals of the Legislation of Ukraine on Healthcare’ and paragraph 47 of the Committee's recommendations (CPT/Inf(93)12-part).

3. In violation of the requirements of paragraph 3 of Section I, Chapter II of the Procedure, medical personnel do not properly draw up certificates describing in detail the nature of bodily injuries, their sizes, and location. In particular, in violation of the requirements of the Instruction for filling out the primary accounting documentation form No. 511/o ‘Certificate on the recording of bodily injuries’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 02.02.2024 No. 186, medical personnel complete form No. 318-od ‘On the approval of the card for primary recording of external injuries, instructions for its completion, and the form of the log for recording detected bodily injuries’, which has expired.

The absence of proper recording of bodily injuries does not comply with paragraph 60 of the Committee's Recommendations (CPT/Inf (93) 12-part), where it is stated that medical services in places of deprivation of liberty can contribute to the prevention of violence against persons held in custody through the systematic recording of bodily injuries, and also, if necessary, through informing the appropriate authorities.

4. During the study of medical documentation, it was established that in the medical cards of an outpatient patient of form No. 025/o, photographs of existing bodily injuries are not attached to the drawn-up certificates, as is provided for by paragraph 3 of Section I, Chapter II of the Procedure. At the same time, the Committee in the report following the visit to Ukraine in 2023 notes that any traumatic injuries detected during a medical examination must be photographed in detail, and the photographs, along with body diagrams, stored in the individual medical card of the person (CPT/Inf (2024) 20, paragraph 82).

5. In the medical unit, the conduct of substitution maintenance therapy (hereinafter — SMT) for persons with mental and behavioural disorders as a result of opioid use is not organised in accordance with the Procedure for conducting substitution maintenance therapy for persons with mental and behavioural disorders as a result of opioid use, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 27.03.2012 No. 200. Drug-dependent persons are not provided with social-psychological support, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), relapse prevention, motivational interviewing, mutual-help groups, etc.

Thus, these persons are deprived of the opportunity to receive SMT, which violates their right to choose treatment methods in accordance with Article 38 of the Law of Ukraine ‘Fundamentals of the Legislation of Ukraine on Healthcare’. At the same time, the Committee in the report following the visit to Ukraine in 2023 emphasises that admission to a penitentiary institution is an opportunity to solve a problem related to drugs, and therefore it is important that appropriate assistance be offered to all interested persons. In all institutions, access to appropriate medical care must be ensured.

The assistance offered to such persons must be diverse; substitution therapy programmes for persons with drug dependence must be combined with genuine psychosocial and educational programmes for persons with opioid dependence who cannot stop using drugs. Furthermore, access to SMT programmes in institutions must be easily accessible, and they must also be managed by penitentiary doctors, who must undergo special training on issues related to drug use (CPT/Inf (2024) 20, paragraph 86).

6. In violation of paragraph 8 of Chapter 5 of Section II of the Procedure, there is no equipped isolation ward in the inpatient ward of the medical unit for persons with mental disorders among the prisoners who pose a danger to those around them.

7. In violation of the requirements of the State Building Norms of Ukraine V.2.2-17:2006 ‘Buildings and Structures. Accessibility of buildings and structures for low-mobility groups of the population’, conditions for keeping people with disabilities have not been created in the medical unit.

8. In violation of paragraph 37 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 285 dated 02.03.2016 ‘On the approval of Licensing conditions for carrying out economic activities in medical practice’, there is no opinion in the medical unit confirming free access to the buildings and premises of the medical facility for low-mobility groups of the population, which is mandatory to obtain.

9. Dispensary supervision is carried out for 35 people who have a disability. Of them: Group I — 3 people, Group II — 3 people, Group III — 8 people. At the same time, in violation of the requirements of the Law of Ukraine ‘On the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in Ukraine’, persons with disabilities do not receive proper diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation measures in the presence of information confirming a persistent violation of bodily functions caused by diseases or the consequences of injuries, which lead to limitations of normal life activity.

During the study of the medical documentation of prisoners, it was established that for one person who has a disability, an individual rehabilitation programme (hereinafter — IRP) is missing. Furthermore, the recommendations of the IRP are not fulfilled, due to which they do not receive proper diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation measures.

10. In violation of the requirements of the ‘Norms of provision of bedding, special clothing, and special footwear (inventory property) for prisoners undergoing treatment in medical-preventive institutions, institutions with the rights of medical ones, and medical units at penal institutions and pre-trial detention centres’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 20.02.2012 No. 280/5, convicted persons do not receive hospital property (hospital suit, robe, and slippers). Prisoners stay in the inpatient ward in everyday clothes, sometimes with their own bedding.

11. In violation of the requirements of the ‘Standards of medical care for HCV in adults’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 15.01.2021 No. 51, not all persons (2 people as of 10.09.2025) with a suspicion of viral hepatitis C undergo PCR testing, due to which they do not receive the necessary treatment, which can lead to a deterioration of their state of health and the spread of said infectious disease among prisoners and detainees.

12. In violation of the requirements of ‘Measures and means for preventing infection when providing care to patients’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 03.08.2020 No. 1777, only one isolation ward for infectious patients is equipped in the medical unit, which makes it impossible to simultaneously place patients with dangerous infectious diseases separately from one another and from other prisoners.

13. In violation of the requirements of State Building Norms V.2.2-10:2022 ‘Healthcare institutions. Basic provisions’, the isolation ward for persons with infectious diseases is not equipped with a sanitary unit and shower stall, which forces infectious patients to use shared sanitary premises together with other held persons undergoing treatment in the inpatient ward of the medical unit. The absence of proper conditions makes the effective isolation of patients impossible, facilitates the spread of infectious diseases, and creates a risk to the health of both prisoners and the institution's personnel.

14. In violation of the requirements of the ‘Procedure for organising medical care at the primary, secondary (specialised), and tertiary (highly specialised) levels using telemedicine’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 19.10.2015 No. 681, the personnel of the medical unit, due to technical limitations, are deprived of the opportunity to send requests for telemedicine consultations and receive expert assistance for the provision of medical services to prisoners.

15. In violation of the requirements of the ‘Table for equipping the workplace of a dentist and dental technician’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 11.04.2005 No. 158, there is no dental X-ray machine in the medical unit, which makes it impossible to conduct an in-depth dental examination of prisoners and does not ensure the timely provision of proper dental care. According to information from medical unit staff, tooth extraction prevails among the available types of dental care, whereas fillings are carried out extremely rarely, which significantly limits the right of prisoners to receive proper dental care.

16. In violation of the requirements of Rule 19.3 of the European Prison Rules, the sanitary unit in the medical unit is not equipped with a door, due to which the right of prisoners to privacy is not observed.

17. In doctors' offices, there is no hot water supply; the workplaces of medical workers do not meet the requirements of current legislation and violate Article 19 of the Law of Ukraine ‘Fundamentals of the Legislation of Ukraine on Healthcare’ and Article 13 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Occupational Safety’.

18. In violation of the requirements of paragraph 5 of Section I of the ‘Rules for storage and quality control of medicines in medical-preventive institutions’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 16.12.2003 No. 584, medicines with an expired shelf life were found in the medical unit during the inspection of the dentist's office. Furthermore, STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag express tests for the detection of coronavirus antigen, the shelf life of which had also expired, were found in the manipulation room.

19. The premises of the doctors' office and the X-ray room are not provided with fire extinguishers, which is a violation of the requirements of paragraph 3.6 of Chapter 3 of Section V of the ‘Fire Safety Rules in Ukraine’ and paragraph 10.18 of Chapter 10 of the ‘State Sanitary Rules and Norms “Hygienic requirements for the arrangement and operation of X-ray rooms and the conduct of radiological procedures”’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 04.06.2007 No. 294, registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on 07.11.2007 under No. 1256/14523.

20. In violation of the ‘Fire Safety Rules in Ukraine’, approved by the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated 30.12.2014 No. 1417, the premises of the medical unit are not equipped with fire suppression and fire alarm systems.

Recommendations:

1. Ensure a residential area norm of at least 4 m² per person in the KDiR; remove ‘extra’ beds from premises No. 1-3.

2. Establish clear accounting of KDiR capacity and actual occupancy; introduce control to prevent overcrowding.

3. Equip the KDiR with mandatory premises and furniture in accordance with provision standards (pantries, cloakroom, utility room, drying room, etc.).

4. Ensure complete and continuous maintenance of KDiR visitor logs without gaps and ‘retroactive entries’; standardise entries.

5. Stop the practice of involving ‘dnuvalni’ from among the prisoners; order and supervision functions must be performed only by the institution's staff.

6. Prohibit the stay of prisoners in the KDiR without legal grounds and without escort; ensure compliance with regime requirements.

7. Review the use of video surveillance in residential premises: use only based on individual risk assessment with documentary justification; remove unnecessary cameras from living rooms.

8. Equip the DIZO/PKT with provided premises (administrative/medical reception, pantries, food distribution room, barbershop, etc.).

9. Ensure a proper level of natural lighting and ventilation in the DIZO; remove obstacles to window light penetration.

10. Equip sanitary units in the DIZO/PKT with full-fledged partitions from floor to ceiling to ensure privacy.

11. Stop the display of information about crimes on cell doors; remove existing cards.

12. Ensure the issuance of a copy of the disciplinary penalty decision to every prisoner with an explanation of the appeal procedure and the right to access a lawyer.

13. Increase the area or functionality of exercise yards; equip them with waste bins and shelters from bad weather.

14. Restore monthly planned disinfection and disinsection of outerwear and bedding; properly maintain the log; equip the laundry with a sanitary unit for staff.

15. Replace plastic tableware in the canteen with metal in accordance with provision standards.

16. Review the order of short-term visits: introduce open visits as the rule, and closed visits only based on individually motivated decisions.

17. Ensure the arrangement of a second (emergency) exit from the shelter in accordance with the requirements of DBN V.2.2-5:2021.

18. Install a ventilation and air supply system that will allow for a long stay in the shelter without the risk of hypoxia.

19. Equip the shelter with sanitary units or chemical toilets to comply with sanitary-hygienic norms.

20. Bring the shelter into compliance with the requirements of the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated 09.07.2018 No. 579 ‘On the approval of the Procedure for the maintenance and operation of civil defence protective structures’.

21. Ensure the concealed carrying of special equipment by staff working in direct contact with prisoners; exclude their open demonstration.

22. Reduce personnel understaffing and strengthen their presence in residential zones; optimise shift schedules.

23. Stop the substitution of employment relations with civil-law contracts.

24. Standardise the wording of contracts and internal documents; exclude evaluative wording like ‘provision of services’ where constant work under the administration’s supervision is actually performed.

25. Take measures aimed at eliminating detected human rights violations and preventing torture, other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in medical unit No. 72 of the Branch of the State Institution “Centre for Healthcare of the State Criminal-Executive Service of Ukraine” in the Mykolaiv and Odesa Regions.

26. Provide the medical unit staff with medical specialists in accordance with needs.

27. Ensure control over the proper maintenance of medical documentation in accordance with the ‘Procedure for Organising the Provision of Medical Care to Persons Sentenced to Imprisonment’, approved by 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, and other regulatory legal acts.

28. Ensure the timely and proper recording of bodily injuries in prisoners.

29. Ensure the equipment of an isolation ward for persons with mental and behavioural disorders in accordance with requirements.

30. Ensure the obtaining of informed consent from patients for examination and treatment in the established form.

31. Fulfill the requirements of paragraph 37 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 02.03.2016 No. 285 ‘On the approval of Licensing conditions for carrying out economic activities in medical practice’.

32. Provide the medical unit with hospital property (hospital suit, robe, and slippers).

33. Ensure the possibility of receiving substitution maintenance therapy based on a diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders as a result of opioid use.

34. Ensure the conduct of proper accounting of preventive examinations.

35. Ensure the proper operation of the telemedicine complex for the making of requests by doctors for telemedicine consultation.

36. Ensure all persons with a suspicion of HCV have access to PCR testing in the shortest possible time and organise the necessary antiviral treatment for persons with a confirmed diagnosis.

37. Ensure the conduct of individual rehabilitation for persons who require it.

38. Provide the medical unit with a dental X-ray machine and necessary equipment for conducting a full dental examination and treatment.

39. Arrange the necessary number of isolation wards for infectious patients, each of which must be equipped with a separate sanitary unit and shower stall with the aim of ensuring effective isolation of patients and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.