Under the organization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Council of Europe the training was launched for employees of temporary detention facilities in order to create healthy environment and on topic of disease prevention. The mentioned training is aimed at improving situation in temporary detention facilities in the angle of healthcare and ensuring better protection of human rights of individuals placed in isolators.
230 isolator employees who participate in the training will boost their knowledge and qualification in the healthcare promotion, crisis situation management, suicides and self-injury prevention fields. Isolator employees will also get familiarized with practical mechanisms, international standards and legal documents which are aimed at ensuring the protection of legal rights of persons placed in isolators and improving availability on medical care.
Within the frames of the training international experts will hold trainings at MIA Academy base from March 21 to June 15 of the current year.
Within the frames of recently held reforms surveillance cameras were installed in corridors of isolators across the country as well as anti-vandal bathroom inventory and electronic systems with night and day modes that exclude any possibility of causing traumas to cellmates or self-damages. In Poti and Zestaponi new isolators were opened and detention centers in Tbilisi and Mtskheta-Mtianeti have undergone renovation. New adapted and comfortable uniforms were designed for isolator employees and it is also notable that adaptation process of isolators for disabled persons is actively in progress. Detainees are also provided with medical service. They can meet with doctor any time they need in order to receive consultation or recommendations.
It is notable that from November of 2012 up to date no cases of violation of human rights were registered. In the process of reforming isolators were visited by the representatives from the apparatus of the Public Defender more than 110 times as well as representatives of international organizations, who visited isolator for 6 times after renovation.
Expert Jim Murdoch from the Council of Europe visited temporary detention facilities within the frames of his visit in 2013 and positively assessed implemented reforms.
“Considerable steps had been taken to improve monitoring arrangements, including the installation of video cameras in all isolators (with remote monitoring taking place in MIA headquarters), the strengthening of the General Inspection Unit of the MIA, unified systems of inspection, and ensuring readier access to complaints-raising mechanisms for detainees (including publication of a website address). We were also advised of a more proactive approach to the safeguarding of detainees’ health (including the provision of psychological services). Crucially, there now again appears to be better coordination between internal inspection services and the prosecutor’s office. All of this is suggests that real progress is being made within the confines of the responsibilities of the Ministry- noted Jim Murdoch in his report.
