Human rights organisations in Turkey have condemned the use of “good behaviour” criteria in prisons that blocked the release of at least 426 inmates in 2023, calling the practice arbitrary and lacking in transparency.
Ümit Biçer of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) criticised prison boards that determine the eligibility of prisoners for release based on their behaviour. “The [prison administration] board acts as if it were a court making arbitrary decisions,” he said. According to Biçer, these boards, first established on 29 December 2020, have increasingly become barriers to prisoner releases. “A board meant to protect the material and moral integrity of the prisoners is being used as a serious obstacle to their release,” he added.
The Human Rights Association (İHD) reported that in 2023 alone, at least 426 prisoners had their release delayed on grounds of “lack of good behaviour.” Biçer noted that there is no clear criterion for what constitutes “good behaviour.” He said, “There is no principle or rule of assessment to determine what defines “good behaviour” in a prisoner. This suggests that the [prison administration] boards make arbitrary assessments.” Biçer added, “We do not know which actions or behaviours define “good behaviour” in a prisoner.”
He also revealed that the boards consider the books prisoners read and their religious beliefs. “For example, a prisoner not selecting books from the approved prison library can be deemed ‘not well-behaved.’ Even a prisoner who has never received a disciplinary penalty may have their release postponed for not complying with the board’s rules,” Biçer explained.
Biçer also noted that the release of sick prisoners is often delayed due to these criteria, which he said were contrary to ethical principles. He stated, “If there is a health issue, this board should not be intervening or assuming responsibility. If someone’s health deteriorates in prison, it should be addressed quickly, and [the appropriate] measures taken.” He referred to the Nelson Mandela Rules, saying, “Keeping someone in prison when their illness worsens violates international standards and constitutes degrading treatment.”
Biçer pointed out the many rights violations experienced by prisoners in İmralı F-Type High Security Closed Prison, where Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan is held, describing the isolation imposed there as a severe violation of rights and a form of torture. “We see these practices spreading with the construction of new prisons,” he warned, noting that the isolation practices in İmralı are now also being applied in other prisons across Turkey.
Biçer further criticised the inadequate provision of health services in prisons, noting that prisoners are often not allowed to access medical facilities. “We observe that prisoners cannot even use the existing health system, let alone receive additional health provision,” he said. “There is a proposal for online medical examinations, but”, he stressed, “this is unacceptable in terms of healthcare”.
Human rights organisations continue to call for transparency and accountability in Turkey’s prison system, urging action against these human rights violations.
