Position of Assistant to the Chairman added to the central office staff of the department

A position of Assistant to the Chairman for Human Rights Compliance in Penal Institutions and Pre-trial Detention Centres has been added to the central office staff, and a Centre for Preventive Monitoring and Protection of Human Rights in the Activities of Bodies and Institutions of the State Penal Service of Ukraine has been established.

Cultivating respect for the law

The Chernihiv Women’s Human Rights Centre conducted training with minors held in the Chernihiv SIZO

How much does it cost to maintain prisoners?

Expenditure on the maintenance of a prisoner per month in 2009 is 1,066 UAH, per day – 35 hryvnias.

Pardon is an important function of the President

An article by People’s Deputy V. Moisyk, Chairman of the Commission under the President of Ukraine on Pardon Issues, titled ‘Pardon is an important state function of the President’, was published in the newspaper ‘Voice of Ukraine’ on 5 November 2009. It provides statistical data on pardons in 2008–2009. The text of the Regulations on Pardon can be found on the Prison Portal website at http://www.ukrprison.org.ua/index.php?id=1216005650

Paid services provided by penal institutions

According to the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1017 of 8 August 2007, penal institutions and pre-trial detention centres may provide paid services, the list of which has been approved by this Resolution.

Prisoner beaten in Lutsk SIZO?

Convict Vitaliy V. suffered multiple bodily injuries

Press conference on the topic: ‘Torture in the Kyiv SIZO. Is it the norm?’

At 10:00 on Thursday, 05.11.2009, a press conference on the topic: ‘Torture in the Kyiv SIZO. Is it the norm?’ will be held at ‘Interfax-Ukraine’ on Reitarska Street in Kyiv.

Tymoshenko ordered 2 million gauze masks from prisons

The Cabinet of Ministers has agreed with prisons on the sewing of 2 million gauze masks.

Department Board Meeting Held

The regular meeting of the Board of the State Department of Ukraine for the Execution of Sentences took place on 26–27 October 2009. Press release

Human rights activists ask the Prosecutor's Office to inspect detention facilities in Mordovia

The “For Civil Rights” Committee has sent an appeal to the Mordovian Prosecutor's Office requesting an investigation into the situation in the republic's detention facilities. According to the committee, 36 percent of the complaints received from prisoners in Mordovian camps consist of allegations of cruel treatment, beatings, and torture.

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture visits Ukraine

The delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has concluded its fifth periodic visit to Ukraine. Press release

Case of suicide in Correctional Colony No. 31

On 7 September 2009, at 20:25, the body of convict K. was discovered in the dormitory of the social and psychological service unit of the Iziaslav Correctional Colony (No. 31).