Testimonial

Ukraine: little has changed

// Series of testimonials “a day in prison”* (6)

In prison, days follow one another but are not always identical. The conditions of detention, the rhythm of the days, the possibility of receiving visits, medical treatment, the food, or even access to one’s right to defense, vary considerably from one prison to another, from one country to another. Prison Insider publishes testimonials of people who live or have lived in prison and can share their experience. This series of testimonials, “A day in prison”, puts into words the varying realities of imprisonment around the world.

— in collaboration with Ukraine without Torture.

Sergiy was incarcerated during four years between 2001 and 2005 in the Ukrainian prison of Cherkasy. He is now 37 and works for an NGO. For Prison Insider, he describes how a day used to be like for him. His testimonial is of the utmost relevance because according to our correspondents Ukraine without Torture, prison life has changed little since.

Then you wait for the counting. It begins at 8.30–9.00 and proceeds like this: you are taken out of the barrack into the streets, no matter the weather conditions.

One can refuse to work, but may as a result end up in the punishment cell

Evening times are by far liveliest moments in the blocks