KOCAELI – Prisoners at Kocaeli No. 2 High-Security Prison report facing severe restrictions on their basic rights, including access to books, social and sports activities, and family visits. Authorities justify the limitations by citing "staff shortages," while some books are being confiscated for being “inappropriate,” despite not being officially banned.

 

COMPLAINTS FILED TO HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS

 

Prisoners have submitted formal complaints to the Human Rights Association (İHD), Civil Society in the Penal System Association (CİSST), and the Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry Commission. They argue that they are being denied their legal rights and that no meaningful dialogue is taking place with prison authorities to resolve the issues.

 

In one complaint, prisoners said they were forced to stand during administrative meetings, calling the practice “humiliating and unethical.” They stated: “This practice serves no purpose other than to degrade individuals and is incompatible with good governance principles.”

 

ACCESS TO BOOKS AND BASIC RIGHTS RESTRICTED

 

Prisoners say that resource books brought in for research and writing purposes are labeled “objectionable” by the administration and confiscated arbitrarily. Although regulations guarantee 10 hours per week of social and sports activities, prisoners report receiving only 2.5 to 5 hours per week. They also highlight that the prison is operating well below capacity, suggesting the restrictions are unnecessary.

 

UNFAIR VISITATION RULES

 

Prisoners also report a reduction in visitation time. While legally entitled to 90-minute weekly and monthly visits, they now receive only 60 minutes due to alleged staff shortages. In contrast, pretrial detainees are reportedly allowed visits of up to 2 hours, which prisoners say is unjust.

 

CALL FOR HUMANE CONDITIONS

 

Another key complaint is the separation of prisoners from the same case into distant prison blocks, with transfer requests either denied or excessively delayed. In their appeal, prisoners called on authorities to ensure humane conditions, end the “standing meetings,” and create a space for meaningful dialogue: “The prison administration is responsible for hearing our concerns and finding solutions. Since this is not happening, we are forced to appeal to your institution. We ask for your intervention to ensure humane treatment and rights compliance in our prison.”

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu