20:00, 29 August 2011

This year, POC of Kabardino-Balkaria received over 100 complaints

In 2011, the Public Observation Commission (POC) for monitoring jails and detention facilities of Kabardino-Balkaria received over a hundred complaints, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Magazali Endreev, the Chair of the POC.

Most of the complaints arrived from the Nalchik SIZO (pre-trial prison) and from colonies. They deal with poor quality of food and medical care, and installation of CCTV cameras in cells.

Oral complaints are expressed by prisoners, when they are interviews by the commission members, said Endreev. They refer mainly to terms of imprisonment. According to the POC Chairman, many prisoners believe that they had been too severely punished.

"We try to advise them on these issues, thereby reducing the number of complaints addressed to investigatory bodies and prosecutors," said Endreev.

The Russian Law "On Public Control of Human Rights in Jails" came into force in September 2008; after that, formation of public observation commissions began. As of October 2010, such commissions operated in 77 regions of Russia.

Author: Louisa Orazaeva

Source: CK correspondent