Ministry Working For Release of Sick Inmates

* Photo credit: Okan Özer / AA 

People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Group Interim Co-Chairpersons  Pervin Buldan and İdris Baluken had a meeting with Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ.

“We have a plan for those inmates who can’t thrive in prison on their own. We will inform the public once our prep work is done,” Justice Minister  Bekir Bozdağ said after receiving a delegation from People’s Democratic Party.

Emphasis on “public security”

“Inmates who can’t thrive in prison on their own and don’t pose a public security threat are either released or their sentences are postponed. However, there are issues in practice. 

“There is a screening every 6 months. If there is an ongoing treatment, extensions are made. If the treatment is over and the inmate is cured, then  there is no longer extensions,” he said. 

Bozdağ also added that they were unable to detect how many inmates could benefit from this new option as they needed to make a count on inmate medical reports. 

İHD: 544 sick inmates with 162 in critical condition

According to Human Rights Association’s (IHD) latest statement, there are 544 inmates across prisons in Turkey with 162 in critical condition. (AS/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.