The Central Prison of Tabriz, also known as Tabriz Prison, located at the end of 29 Bahman Boulevard in Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran, has become notorious for its harsh and inhumane treatment of inmates.
This report, based on the observations of a former political prisoner who was held in the women’s ward from July 2018 to March 2020, provides a detailed account of the severe human rights violations occurring within the prison. The author’s identity has been withheld for security reasons, but the details reveal a disturbing picture of life for the women incarcerated there.
Historical Background and Location
Tabriz Prison is housed in a building dating back to the Pahlavi era, the pre-revolution monarchy in Iran. The women’s ward is located on a floor that includes a single hall where the guards’ office is also situated. The prison’s infrastructure reflects its age, with narrow corridors leading to the women’s section, further exacerbating the feeling of confinement and oppression.
Tabriz Prison Administration and Abuse
The women’s ward was overseen by a female officer named Ourangi, known for her violent and threatening behavior. She once told an inmate, “If I had the Supreme Leader’s [referring to Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in Iran] fatwa, I would cut you into pieces with a knife right here!” This statement exemplifies the level of brutality and repression that female prisoners face daily. Another key figure in the administration was a man named Mahmoudi, who served as the warden of Tabriz Prison.
Prison Population and Living Conditions
The women imprisoned in Tabriz were held in overcrowded conditions, with the number of inmates in the ward fluctuating between 100 and 150. The prisoners were not segregated based on the nature of their crimes; political prisoners were held alongside those convicted of various social crimes, such as theft, prostitution, and drug trafficking. The overwhelming majority of these women came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
As the number of inmates increased, resources became even more scarce. Many prisoners were forced to sleep on the floor due to the lack of beds. The overcrowding and inadequate facilities led to a growing crisis within the prison.
Juvenile and Political Prisoners
The “Rehabilitation and Correction Center” housed inmates under the age of 18 and political prisoners who were kept isolated from others. This included those arrested during the widespread protests in November 2019, a period of significant unrest in Iran.
Communication and Hygiene
Tabriz Prison provided only four telephones for the 100 to 150 female inmates, leading to long queues and significant delays in contacting family members. Hygiene standards were appallingly low. With only five showers for over 100 women, there was often a shortage of hot water. The lack of sanitation led to the spread of diseases and the presence of pests, further endangering the health of the inmates. Each prisoner was allocated only a small amount of cleaning supplies, insufficient for their monthly needs.
Limited Access to Basic Necessities
The prison shop was open only a few hours each day, and only prisoners who received money from their families could purchase necessities. Inmates often had to wait in line for extended periods to buy fruit and other essential items.
Nutrition and Health Care
The diet provided to the prisoners was inadequate, consisting mainly of low-quality rice with meager portions of stew and lentil soup for dinner, which did not meet the nutritional needs of the women. As a result, many prisoners resorted to eating bread to stave off hunger, leading to abnormal weight gain.
Medical care in Tabriz Prison was in a state of crisis. Prisoners were not allowed to keep their medications and had to wait in long lines to receive essential drugs, exacerbating their illnesses. Many inmates suffer from a range of untreated medical conditions due to the inadequate healthcare system in the prison.
Mental Health and Forced Labor
The mental health of many women in Tabriz Prison deteriorated, leading to a disturbing number of self-harm incidents. In response, the prison authorities banned sharp objects, forcing inmates to use plastic cups and metal flasks to prevent further self-injury. These acts of self-harm were a testament to the deep despair and hopelessness felt by the prisoners.
In addition to the harsh living conditions, women prisoners were forced to engage in labor-intensive carpet weaving. Despite the grueling nature of the work, they received only a pittance for their labor, while the prison officials profited from the sale of the carpets.
The conditions in Tabriz Prison during the period from July 2018 to March 2020 reflect a broader pattern of systemic abuse and human rights violations under the Iranian regime. The lack of proper medical care, inadequate nutrition, overcrowding, forced labor, and psychological abuse paint a grim picture of life for women inmates in this facility. This report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the ongoing human rights abuses in Iran’s prisons.
