Conditions in the over 60 detention institutions of the country, including psychiatric hospitals and psycho-neurological institutions, haven’t improved considerably and reach the level of severity that represents inhuman and degrading treatment. Half of the applications received by the Office of People’s Ombudsperson in the first half of this year came from detainees, who complained mainly about poor detention conditions and ill-treatment. The data were presented by ombudspersons in a news conference at IPN held on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

People’s ombudsman Mihail Cotorobai said the existence of torture is a stain for any country, including the Republic of Moldova, where acts of torture against detainees are still witnessed. About 8,000 persons are held in the 17 penitentiaries of Moldova. Only three of the penitentiaries meet the minimum detention standards. These are: Penitentiary No. 7 Rusca, Penitentiary No. 10 Goian and Penitentiary No. 1 Taraclia.

When the number of detainees increases constantly in relation to the accommodation capacity of the penitentiary system (which is now of about 5,500 places), the detention places are over 40% crowded. According to the ombudsman, the old infrastructure is not adjusted to the cell system and does not allow separating the convicts in small sectors. Combined with the insufficiency of personnel, this leads to the perpetuation of violence and subculture in penitentiaries.

Mihail Cotorobai said the situation in remand prisons also continues to be worrisome. Most of the rooms there are located in the basements of police stations. The detainees often complain about poor or late medical assistance. The ombudsman expressed his concern about the fact that the Republic of Moldova does not honor its commitments to ensure the torture victims’ right to rehabilitation.

The people’s ombudswoman for children’s rights Maia Banarescu spoke about juvenile delinquency. According to her, they received no complaints about ill-treatment in penitentiaries. The only jail for minors – Penitentiary No. 10 Goian – meets the detention standards, with small exceptions. Problems are witnessed at the remand jail of Penitentiary No. 13, where there are now over 20 minors. The conditions there are inhuman and degrading and this fact was confirmed by the ECHR not only once. There are four cells in this jail and these are overcrowded. The hygiene and alimentation there are improper. The minors should be transferred to Goian where two new blocks are to be erected, but the works are delayed owing to shortage of funds.