Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

July 15, 2026

Sri Lanka: there must be truth and accountability for prison violence

News

Asia Violence Sri Lanka

The outbreak of deadly violence this past week at a Sri Lanka jail in Negombo and reports of reprisals against people in prison by guards at other prisons are deeply alarming. The families of the dozens killed and injured – both incarcerated people and prison officers.

July 3, 2026

India: space constraints force incarcerated people in Kerala to sleep in shifts: KeLSA study

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Asia Overcrowding India

The prison authorities stated that there are 58 jails in the state, housing a total of 9,914 inmates till date against an authorised capacity of 7,416.

June 19, 2026

Turkey: violations in Black Sea prisons: absolute isolation has spread to all prisons

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Asia Violence Turkey

The DEM Party Prison Commission stated that prisoners’ access to healthcare is being blocked, discriminatory practices targeting Kurdish identity are continuing, and that they will follow up on the rights violations being experienced.

June 18, 2026

India : Supreme Court Judge visits Bengaluru Central Prison, launches skill development and mental health initiatives

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Asia Health Mental health India

Justice Vikram Nath of the Supreme Court and executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) visited the Bengaluru Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara on Sunday and inaugurated several initiatives aimed at improving rehabilitation, skill development and mental healthcare service…

June 18, 2026

Iran : former prisoners describe beatings and denial of medical care in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Asia Torture Violence Iran

Former inmates of Suite 35 at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj have provided HRANA with accounts alleging the systematic mistreatment of prisoners, including physical assaults, the use of pipes as instruments of corporal punishment, denial of medical care, and the transfer of injured detainees to the f…

April 30, 2026

Russia: at least 6 political prisoners died in custody in the first 4 months of 2026

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Crises Asia Europe Health Mental health Suicide Russia

According to data from the human rights organization Memorial, more than 5,000 people in Russia are victims of political repression. At least 68 of them have died in custody over the past decade and a half, including at least six since the start of 2026.

April 25, 2026

Afghanistan: 116 million afghanis prison facilities construction begins in Panjshir

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Asia Facilities Afghanistan

Construction of central prison facilities has officially begun in central Panjshir province at a cost of 116 million afghanis, an official said on Saturday.

April 22, 2026

Armenia: suicide attempt at Armavir prison amid growing concerns

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Asia Europe Mental health Suicide Overcrowding Armenia

On March 20, an incarcerated person at the Armavir penitentiary institution attempted suicide by hanging, drawing renewed attention to deteriorating conditions and safety standards in Armenia’s prison system.

April 19, 2026

Iran: 20 political prisoners transferred from Evin Prison, denied contact with families

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Crises Asia Facilities Social ties Iran

According to a report by the Voice of Prisoners in East Kurdistan and Iran, 20 political prisoners have been transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison over the past few days, and all contact with their families has been severed.

April 18, 2026

China: CTA highlights case of Tibetan political prisoner and writer Tsultrim Gyaltsen, renews human rights concerns

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Crises Asia Social ties China

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has spotlighted Tibetan writer and political prisoner Tsultrim Gyaltsen’s case. The administration claimed that Gyaltsen’s family has faced severe restrictions, with only a single brief visit reportedly allowed in October 2014.

April 15, 2026

Russia: at 15, he became one of Russia’s youngest political prisoners. He now faces new charges

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Crises Asia Europe Minors Russia

Arseny Turbin became one of the youngest political prisoners in Russia when he was arrested at age 15 in 2023.

April 11, 2026

Russia: Russian listed by Memorial as political prisoner goes on hunger strike

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Crises Asia Europe Health Material conditions Russia

A former Moscow district official serving a long prison sentence in Russia for what he says were trumped-up political charges has declared a “dry hunger strike”, refusing both food and water.

April 10, 2026

Iran: the bodies of six executed political prisoners have still not been returned to their families

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Crises Asia Death penalty Social ties Iran

Their families, expressing deep concern, have called for transparent information regarding the fate of their loved ones.

April 4, 2026

India: more than 3,700 incarcerated people in Karnataka await trial for 1-5 years

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Pre-trial detention Asia India

Thousands of undertrial incarcerated people in Karnataka continue to remain behind bars for extended periods, with fresh data tabled in Parliament highlighting the scale of delays in the justice system.

April 3, 2026

Cyprus: prison full, Fitiris says

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Asia Europe Facilities Overcrowding Cyprus

Cyprus’ prison and other holding facilities are full, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris said on Friday, though he did stress that the government is “trying to find solutions”.

March 30, 2026

Israel: country passes law to give death penalty to Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks

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Crises Asia Death penalty Israel

Knesset approves measure that has been criticised by European countries and rights groups.

March 26, 2026

India: NHRC takes suo motu cognisance of 285 people in prison deaths in Chhattisgarh jails

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Asia Health Mental health Material conditions Suicide India

The National Humans Rights Commission raised serious concerns about living conditions, healthcare and human rights violations inside the state’s prison system.

March 25, 2026

Myanmar: systemic abuse and extortion reported at Daik-U Prison as political prisoners face dehumanizing labour

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Crises Asia Health Violence Work Myanmar (Burma)

Sources close to the facility, including the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM), describe an environment where those unable to pay bribes to prison staff are singled out for the most severe forms of oppression.

March 23, 2026

Cyrpus: new prison to be built in Mathiatis

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Asia Europe Facilities Overcrowding Cyprus

A new central prison will be constructed on the outskirts of Mathiatis, following widespread overcrowding at existing facilities, justice minister Costas Fitiris confirmed to the House human rights committee.

March 22, 2026

India: the Supreme Court directs states, Union Territories to furnish updated details on prisons, including overcrowding

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Asia Justice Overcrowding

The Supreme Court has directed all the states and Union territories to furnish updated details relating to jails, including the sanctioned capacity of each prison and steps taken to check overcrowding.

March 20, 2026

Iran: clashes in Chabahar prison following protest over food ration cuts; more than ten incarcerated people injured

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Asia Health Material conditions Facilities Protest Iran

During the protest, a number of incarcerated people gathered in the prison yard and refused to return to their wards, objecting to detention conditions, lack of facilities, and the unsafe environment caused by recent developments in Chabahar.

March 17, 2026

Iran: Israeli airstrike on prison declared a war crime in new UN report

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Crises Asia Justice Health Facilities Iran

Tehran’s Evin prison was struck by Israel last June, leading to a UN investigation.

March 17, 2026

Chin up! Let’s escape!

Analysis Inside Outside

Africa North America South America Asia Europe Middle East Alternatives

Prison Insider, represented by Clara Grisot, contributed twelve compositions to the book InsideOutside to articulate, in a few words, the current challenges of prison life. Twelfth piece: prison break.

March 12, 2026

Russia: prison service faces staffing crisis as shortages top 30%, officials say

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Asia Europe Discipline Russia

Russia’s prison service is grappling with a deepening staffing shortage, with tens of thousands of positions unfilled last year.