Criminal Justice Reform Alliance of Georgia: The relevant response should be made on the facts of prisoners’ death in Penitentiary Institutions

According to the information released on March 23, 2013 a prisoner, born in 1988 died in # 14 (Geguti) penitentiary at about 8:10. Forensic examination was appointed with a view to investigate the causes of his death, though according to initial findings the defendant committed suicide. 
 
The frequent facts of prisoners’ death in Geguti penitentiary raises our concern.  Regretfully, this is the second case of prisoner’s death in March. We would like to remind you that on March 4, 2013 another fact of death, allegedly under violence, was observed in Geguti penitentiary. According to the initial information, the deceased inmate had multiple injuries, including in the area of head and a throat.
 
Criminal Justice Reform Alliance of Georgia expresses its sincere condolences to the deceased prisoner’s family members and stresses the necessity of effective investigation over the fact, with a view to determine the causes of his death.   
 
The Alliance calls on the Ministry of Corrections and the Penitentiary department to carry out preventive measures for avoiding prisoners’ mortality in penitentiaries.
 
“Criminal Justice Reform Alliance” offers the Ministry of Corrections meetings with the Coalition members, with a view to discuss the problem that leads to the fatal ends in #14 penitentiary, including the systemic problems. The Alliance is interested in prison conditions in terms of prisoners’ security, as well as in measures carried out for preventing suicides.
 
Undersigned organizations: 
“Penal Reform International”
“The initiative for rehabilitation of vulnerable groups”
The Georgian Center for Physiological and Social Rehabilitation for the Victims of Torture (GCRT)
Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association j
Article 42 of the Constitution
Democracy Institute 
Young Lawyers
Global Initiative in Psychiatry – Tbilisi  
Public Defender 
Public Awareness Development Center 
Association women and business 
Georgian Professional Physiologists ‘ Association 
Women’s Initiative Support Group
Youth for Justice 
 

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