The prison service is not trained in dynamic security.

Body search procedures are detailed in the Regulation n° 2324 on the Management of Penal Institutions and the Enforcement of Sentences and Security Measures. Upper body clothing is removed first. Lower body clothing is only removed once the upper body clothing has been put back on (Article 34).

Strip searches may only be imposed as exceptional measures.¹ In 2021, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that strip search practices in Turkish prisons constituted degrading treatment because they were imposed in an arbitrary and humiliating manner. Civil Society in the Penal System Association (CİSST) also reports the arbitrary use of strip searches, and beatings in the event of a refusal to be searched. These are routinely carried out, systematically upon entering and exiting the facility, and used as a form of torture. Political prisoners are particularly targeted.²³⁴ Approved personal belongings are also sometimes arbitrarily removed, scattered on the floor, or broken. Prisoners who oppose these practices may be subjected to insults, threats and ill-treatment.⁵⁶

Handcuffs and bodily restraints may be used during transfers (except for children) or for medical reasons. These instruments may also be used if there are no other satisfactory methods to prevent the prisoner from harming themselves, others, or property (Law n° 5275 on the Enforcement of Sentences and Security Measures, Article 50).

Prisoners are frequently placed in padded rooms and/or handcuffed if they are having a panic attack or exhibiting a behaviour considered as uncontrollable. Some prisoners are kept in padded cells for days, handcuffed behind their backs.¹

Handcuffs and bodily restraints may be used with approval from a medical practitioner for medical reasons, or by order of the prison governor, if there are no other satisfactory methods to prevent the prisoner from harming themselves, others, or property (Law n° 5275 on the Enforcement of Sentences and Security Measures, Article 50).

The Law no. 5275 on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures sets out the following disciplinary sanctions for adults prisoners (Articles 38-44):

• reprimand (15 days maximum)

• restriction of participation in certain activities (3 months maximum)

• restriction of access to work (3 months maximum)

• restriction of communication, except with lawyers, or with relatives in the event of death or serious illness (3 months maximum)

• restriction of access to television or radio (3 months maximum)

• solitary confinement (20 days maximum)

The following disciplinary sanctions may be applied to children (Articles 45-46):

• warning

• reprimand

• reparation, compensation and restitution (7 days maximum)

• withholding of one third of the money received from family (30 days maximum)

• restriction of participation in certain activities (30 days maximum)

• postponement or withdrawal of incentive-based privileges (30 days maximum)

• transfer to another room, dormitory or part of the facility

• change of place of vocational training

• restriction of entry to certain spaces

• restriction of possession or use of certain objects

• restriction of access to open visits (60 days maximum)

• postponement of release date (60 days maximum)

• transfer to a closed prison for a period of six months the first time and one year in the case of repeat infringements

• confinement to an individual cell for minors in closed prisons (5 days maximum).

Civil society organisations report systemic and widespread application of arbitrary disciplinary sanctions. Prisoners often restrain from filing complaints out of fear of reprisal in the form of disciplinary sanctions. Many specifically request that their identities remain anonymous to avoid repercussions from staff. The Human Rights Association (İHD) reports cases of prisoners being prevented from seeing their lawyers as a disciplinary sanction. This method is used to prevent them from organising an effective defence and pursuing appeal procedures, particularly in the case of political prisoners. Prison staff sometimes physically or psychologically provoke prisoners to commit disciplinary infringements. Prisoners who do not comply with arbitrary sanctions may be placed in solitary confinement. İHD also notes that attempting to inform the outside world of rights abuses and oppressive practices in prisons may lead to disciplinary action.¹²³

Warnings, reprimands, and restrictions of participation in certain activities are decided by the prison governor. Disciplinary boards are responsible for all other disciplinary sanctions and may impose the aforementioned sanctions as well. In cases where it is necessary to take immediate measures, the prison governor may separate the prisoner from others and place them in a different room or section. The sentencing judge must be informed. Multiple disciplinary sanctions cannot be executed simultaneously (Law n° 5275 on the Enforcement of Sentences and Security Measures sets out the following disciplinary sanctions for adults prisoners (Articles 47-49).

Prisoners must demonstrate ‘good behaviour’ in order to be granted a sentence adjustment. Disciplinary sanctions suspend ‘good behaviour’ status. For example, placement in solitary confinement suspends the status for six months to one year¹ after the execution of the confinement period.

Minors may have their release postponed for up to 60 days as a disciplinary sanction (Law n° 5275 on the Enforcement of Sentences and Security Measures, Articles 45-46).

A solitary confinement cell must measure at least 9 m2 with a window of 0,75 m2. The cell must have adequate ventilation, a shower and a toilet (Regulation n° 2324 on the Management of Penal Institutions and the Enforcement of Sentences and Security Measures, Article 120).

İHD reports that there is virtually no difference between ordinary solitary confinement cells and individual cells in high-security facilities.

Padded cells are monitored by cameras 24 hours a day. Prisoners are not allowed to possess any objects.¹ Cameras may also be present in ordinary solitary confinement cells.

Prisoners in solitary confinement are entitled to one hour per day in open air (Law n° 5275 on the Enforcement of Sentences and Security Measures, Article 44). Prisoners may also read a book during this time (Regulation n° 2324 on the Management of Penal Institutions and the Execution of Penalties and Security Measures, Article 120). In practice, the duration of open air exposure can vary from one prison to another, ranging from four hours to none at all.

Prisoners in solitary confinement cannot participate in activities, work¹ or training.

Prisoners cannot make telephone calls or communicate with their family while in solitary confinement.¹ They retain the right to meet with their lawyer (Regulation n° 2324 on the Management of Penal Institutions and the Enforcement of Sentences and Security Measures, Article 120). However, this provision is not upheld in practice.