Manama, November 23 (BNA) The Independent Board of Grievances confirmed that it is exercising its legal and official duties regarding complaints and requests for assistance received regarding categories of inmates in the detention center (Dry Dock), according to a professional work. On the basis of objectivity, impartiality and compliance with the relevant laws under investigation.
The Board of Grievances affirmed, in a statement, its keenness to inform the public of the results of its investigations, with regard to allegations that may affect their confidence, including some allegations that are sometimes raised about inmates being subjected to various types of abuse. Treatment or alleged deliberate deprivation of their legal and subsistence rights in correctional and rehabilitation centres.
Based on its terms of reference and in order to find out the truth and clarify the facts of the matter, the Office of the Independent Ombudsman explained the following:
• The Independent Board of Grievances is following up the allegations published on the Internet and social media regarding categories of inmates and detainees, including recent allegations about a group of inmates in their buildings in the detention center (Dry Dock). The Independent Board of Grievances had visited the aforementioned center on November 1, 2021, and found that these inmates were present in the center according to judicial rulings issued before the Justice Law, and that they were able to obtain their legal rights and appropriate living. health care.
• On Sunday, November 21, 2021, the Independent Board of Grievances received a number of mothers of inmates at the Detention Center (Dry Dock). They were interviewed by investigators of the Independent Ombudsman’s Office and their testimony was heard. Moreover, they filled out their requests in writing through the complaints forms prepared for this. These mothers reported that the inmates were on hunger strike until their requests were met. After that, more families of the inmates began to approach the headquarters of the Independent Ombudsman, and due to its commitment to the precautionary measures applied to combat the spread of the Corona virus, the investigators of the Office of the Independent Ombudsman called for using other means to submit their requests. Requests, including WhatsApp.
Accordingly, the Office of the Independent Ombudsman immediately investigated the allegations received, both in person and via WhatsApp.
• On the same day, the Independent Ombudsman’s Office team visited the Guard Detention Center (Dry Dock) to investigate the allegations. The team collected information, inspected the center, and interviewed a group of these inmates, including those whose families had applied, and met with the center’s administration. They found that they had several demands including increasing the time allotted for them to leave their cells together and into the yards, keeping cell doors open 24 hours, and the freedom to move between cells in the wards around the clock. From one floor to another inside the building without being bound by the regular appointments and changing the guard wing policemen located in one of the buildings with other policemen.
The center’s management indicated that all of these requests are against the law and that responding to these requests will lead to the spread of a form of unfair treatment to other inmates who are committed to the law and the regulations of the place, and they are the majority.
• The center’s management also stated that dealing with inmates is governed by controls and controls determined by the legal reference represented in the Reform and Rehabilitation Institutions Law No. (18) of 2014 and its executive regulations issued by Resolution No. (131) of 2014. In addition to the Law of Correctional Justice for Children and their Protection from Abuse, It is Law No. 4 of 2021.
As for the issue of inmates going out to the outdoor yards to practice sports, it was subject to the provisions of Article (43) of the Executive Regulations of the Correction and Rehabilitation Institution Law, which stipulated the period of allowing inmates to practice sports. Activities do not exceed two hours a day, and the management has confirmed that all guests are allowed to leave within the period specified by the regulations and that no guest is denied exit.
With regard to requests to open cell doors and freedom of roaming inside the wards around the clock, it has been emphasized that this violates the administrative procedures stipulated in Articles (13) and (14) of the regulation, and who regulates the issuance of criteria for separating categories of inmates according to their behavior, and allowing these two requests constitutes Danger to the inmates themselves and the staff of the place and increases the chances of acts of violation of the law, rebellion and cases of bullying among the inmates. Inmates may mix with other groups of different ages or types of crime, which in turn may pose a physical danger to them.
• Regarding the case of a number of inmates who announced their hunger strike until these demands are met, the center’s management stated that it deals with cases of strike in accordance with the approved organizational procedures in this regard and according to specific stages, including providing advice to these inmates. On the importance of abandoning the strike and not continuing it and directing them to take advantage of the legal and administrative means and means to submit their requests or complaints to the competent authorities, including the national equity institutions. It also confirmed its continuation to provide meals to these inmates at their usual times and not to stop them, in addition to providing the required medical care in these cases, which includes following up on them on a daily basis through conducting periodic biometric checks and measurements. Medical treatment of any effects of this strike, including the transfer of striking inmates to external health centers if the situation so requires.
• Investigations by the Independent Ombudsman concluded that the administrative and organizational procedures followed in the detention center (Dry Dock) and applied to all inmates, aim to ensure their safety and health. It also aims to provide preventive health and security conditions by applying safety standards, warding off risks and not allowing inmates to mix with each other in large numbers, while not depriving them of their officially stipulated rights. It also provides them with living care, meals and personal hygiene items in accordance with the guarantees stipulated in the law and its regulations. They are also allowed to shop through the store located in the place, in addition to their right to go out to external yards, make calls and receive visits, whether in person or via video call, in addition to other approved rights and guarantees. Under the Correction and Rehabilitation Center Law and its Executive Regulations.
The Office of the Independent Ombudsman also concluded that the subject of the hunger strike is a voluntary choice of any inmates, with a preference not to do so and a reference to the institutional means in the competent authority to consider their requests for assistance so long as they do not. Violation of the law and the organizational and administrative procedures applicable to all inmates without exception.
• The Office of the Independent Ombudsman contacted the families who submitted requests regarding their relatives in the detention center (Dry Dock), and informed them of the results of its investigations into those requests, as stated in this statement.
NS