Reported by PMOI/MEK
Iran, November 10, 2018 – Inmates of Karaj Central Prison, located west of Tehran, are held in the worst conditions possible, sources say. These prisoners face numerous issues of concern. Prison officials could literally care less about the inmates and are treating them like animals, sources add.
Karaj Central Prison was built for 2,000 inmates. Currently, 8,300 inmates are in extremely inadequate conditions at this facility. A 20 square meter room is home to 45 inmates using three-level bunkbeds.
There is no medical care for the inmates. One prisoner, suffering from an infected tooth and in critical condition was told he must provide for his medical care at his own expense. Another inmate, suffering from a severely wounded eye after being beaten by prison guards, is currently left without any medical care.
Food quality is very low and the inmates say they literally cannot eat what is provided. In response to their claims, the ward chief says they are given 37,000 rials (around 25 cents) for each inmate and they don’t have enough money to provide food.
Prison time with hard labor may not be specifically mentioned in the Iranian regime’s laws, yet these prisoners are placed are under such harsh conditions. Some prisoners are forced to provide documents permitting authorities to use them for any physical labor outside of the prison. The inmates work from morning until the afternoon. The money provided on a monthly basis for the work of these inmates is deposited into the prison’s account. If the inmate seeks to enjoy any leave, they must agree to do physical labor.
300 to 350 of these inmates are currently working on a highway stretching north of Tehran, and none of them are receiving any money. These inmates are only allowed a monthly leave of two or three nights. This is just one example of the harsh labor authorities are forcing these inmates into.
As authorities have refused to see into the inmates’ dossiers, many have launched hunger strikes and even sewn their lips. The judiciary system claims the number of prisoners are too many. There are inmates who have served their terms and authorities are refusing to release them.
Any protests to such conditions are met by prison guards attacking and beating the protesting inmate. One inmate suffered a broken hand and nose, and still denied any family visits. His telephone card was also confiscated and he was not permitted to contact his family or file a complaint.
